OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk factors associated with pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP) in young children.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of CP was conducted in young children aged one to six years in Leshan area, Sichuan Province. Cluster sampling and a 1:2 case-control design were used to investigate the risk factors for pathogenesis of CP.

RESULTSTotally, 148,723 children were surveyed, in which 308 (2.07 per thousand ) were diagnosed as CP. Low birth weight, twins and premature birth were associated with significantly increased prevalence of CP, 16.32, 4.16 and 22.21 times as that in normal birth weight, single birth and full-term birth, respectively. Simple factor analysis showed varied factors involved in pathogenesis of CP. The multivariate analysis revealed that delivery at home, low Apgar score in five minutes, illness during the first month of life, maternal "cold" with fever in their early gestation, low protein (meat and egg) intake during pregnancy and lower education level of mother were risk factors for CP.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence and clinical features of CP in Leshan was comparable to those in the developed countries. Relevant risk factors could be seen primarily in gestational and perinatal periods, which might involve in mothers, children, environment and heredity, etc. To attach more importance in gestational and perinatal care for mothers and babies will be crucial measures to reduce occurrence of CP in young children.