OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of cerebral palsy (here in after referred to CP) in children aged 1 - 6 in Guangxi, China, and its epidemiologic characteristics and relevant risk factors.

METHODSInvestigations on the prevalence and etiology of CP in children at ages of 1 - 6 were conducted in Nanning, Hengxian and Qinzhou of Guangxi from June to December in 1998, with a cluster sampling.

RESULTSTotally, 150 806 children aged 1 - 6 were investigated in Nanning, Hengxian and Qinzhou of Guangxi, with 89 418 boys and 61 388 girls. Among them, 193 children were diagnosed as CP, with a prevalence rate of 1.28 per thousand, higher in boys (136 cases, 1.52 per thousand ) than in girls (57 cases, 0.93 per thousand ), with statistical significance (chi(2) = 9.536 7, P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for CP were children who could not cry after birth (neonatal asphyxia), Apgar score less than eight, delivery at lower level of maternity hospital, number of mother's gravidity, no prenatal checks for mothers, and taking antipyretics and preserved food with salt during pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of CP in children of Guangxi was at a lower level in comparison with that in other areas at home and abroad, which, maybe, was related with the lower neonatal survival and higher infant mortality.

Cerebral Palsy ; classification ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimesters ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors