Pattern of comorbidities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background To describe the pattern of comorbidities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify which, if any, were associated with poor school attendance. A cross-sectional study, using the key informant methodology, between December 2017 and July 2018 was conducted in Cross River State, Nigeria. Assessments, confirmation of CP and identification of systemic comorbidities using standard tools and questionnaires were performed. Children confirmed to have CP between the ages 4 to 15 years were included. Results Three hundred and eighty-eight children were confirmed to have CP, 59% males. The mean age was 9.2 years ± SD 4.0; 28% were non-ambulatory (gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level IV-V) and spastic CP was seen in 70%. Comorbidities included Speech impairment 85%, feeding difficulties 86%, and swallowing difficulties 77%, learning difficulties 88%, abnormal behaviour 62%, visual acuity impairment 54%, objective perceptual visual disorders 46%, communication difficulties 45%, epilepsy 35%, hearing impairment 12% and malnutrition 51%. Learning difficulties (OR 10.1, p < 0.001; CI: 3.6–28.1), visual acuity impairment (OR 2.8, p = 0.002; CI: 1.5–5.3), epilepsy (OR 2.3, p = 0.009; CI:1.2–4.3) manual ability classification scale 4–5 (OR 4.7,p = 0.049; CI:1.0–22.2) and CP severity (GMFCS V-VI) OR 6.9 p = 0.002, CI: 2.0–24.0.) were seen as increasing the likelihood of poor school attendance. Conclusion Comorbidities were common, and some were associated with limited school attendance. A multidisciplinary tailored approach to care, with application of available therapeutic interventions for comorbidities is suggested. This may be useful in reducing barriers to school attendance.

Estimate the burden of malnutrition among children with cerebral palsy in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Out of sixteen studies in this review, five were from Nigeria 19 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 26 ,, three were from Ghana), two studies were from Uganda 22 , 28 , and the remaining seven studies were from Kenya 30 , Sudan 20 , Cameroon 29 , Tanzania 33 , Botswana 27 , and Zambia 31 .…”

“…The review found that the highest proportion of malnutrition among children with cerebral palsy was 90% 22 , while the lowest proportion was 37.3% 23 . The sample sizes varied significantly, with the largest study including 388 participants from Nigeria 25 , and the smallest study including only 16 participants from Zambia 31 (Table 1 ).…”

Komorbiditas Penyandang Cerebral Palsy Di Komunitas Cerebral Palsy Metro

“…14 penelitian lain juga menyebutkan pada CP Spastik 70% mengalami masalah bicara 85%, kesulitan makan 86%, gangguan menelan 77%, disabilitas inttelektual 88%, gangguan aktifitas 62%, gangguan visual 54%, gangguan berkomunikasi 45%, epilepsy 35%, gangguan pendengaran 12% dan masalah nutrisi 51%. 15…”

5-year risk of “adult-onset” chronic diseases during childhood and adolescent transitioning for individuals with cerebral palsy

“…Owing to a variety of risk factors, many chronic diseases can start in childhood for individuals with cerebral palsy. Studies have reported on the prevalence of chronic and co-existing conditions among children with cerebral palsy, advancing knowledge of the extent and breadth of medical complexity for this pediatric population ( Berry et al, 2018 , Venkateswaran and Shevell, 2008 , Murphy et al, 2006 , Brooks et al, 2011 , Duke et al, 2021 , Reyes et al, 2019 ). However, many of these studies did not examine chronic diseases that are typically associated with aging.…”