Ngo Yamben Marie-Ange C^1,2*, 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 Seraphin^2,4

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

Abstract

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

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Citation

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

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.