Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange C1,2*, Tsiagadigui Tsiagadigui Jean Gustave1, Nseme Etouckey Eric1, Nana Chunteng Theophile3, UM SAP Suzanne4, Muluem Kennedy1, Batchom Daudet5, Mohamadou Guemse1, Mballa Alexandra4, Manga Alexandre2 and Nguefack Seraphin2,4
1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I, Department of Surgery, Cameroon
2National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Yaoundé, Cameroon
3Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon
4Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I, Department of Paediatrics, Cameroon
5Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Douala, Cameroon
*Corresponding Author: Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange C, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I, Department of Surgery, Cameroon.
Received: February 13, 2023; Published: March 29, 2023
Introduction: Cerebral palsy (PC) is a serious condition, an important cause of psychomotor delay in children with many etiologies. A better knowledge of this polymorphic condition is necessary in order to define prevention strategies and initiate early and adapted management to improve the quality of life of these patients.
Objective: The aim of our study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of cerebral palsy severity in our context.
Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, prospective and analytical study at NCRPD for 10 months. All children up to 15 years of age with cerebral palsy were included and followed for at least 3 months. Patient autonomy was assessed according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). History, epidemiology, clinical and prognostic data were collected and analysed using EPI INFO Version 3.5.1.
Results: We included 92 patients with male predominance (55.4%). Children aged 1 to 5 years were the most affected (46.7%). Neonatal asphyxia (48.91%) was the most common pernatal cause and spastic tetraparesis, the predominant clinical form (71.7%). Osteoarticular complications were found in 22.9% of patients. Oral dyspraxia (72.8%), epilepsy (70.7%) and language disorders (65.2%) were the main comorbidities. Prognostic severity factors identified were ≥ IV GMFCS, bowel movements, language disorders and severe to profound mental retardation.
Conclusion: Cerebral palsy is a polymorphic clinically expressed pathology. The existence of certain comorbidities aggravates the severity and increases the disability of these patients. This preliminary study will serve as a basis for refining the management of these patients.
Keywords: Cerebral Palsy; Tetraparesis; Development Quotient; Walking; Disability; GMFCS
Citation: Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange C., et al. “Characteristics Of Pediatric Cerebral Palsy in An African Rehabilitation Centre”. Acta Scientific Paediatrics 6.4 (2023): 45-50.
Copyright: © 2023 Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange C., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.