Indicators of Cerebral Palsy 1985-1988

Abstract

This is an annoted bibliography of research and review articles published between the years of 1985 and 1988 concerning the indicators of cerebral palsy. Eight studies were conducted prospectively and eight retrospectively. The remaining four references were based on experts' clinical opinions. Although generalizations from the collection of studies are difficult to make due to the variability in experimental design, the following factors were significantly correlated to the occurrence of cerebral palsy (CP) in three or more studies: nonvertex presentations, chorionitis, prematurity, low birth weight, low Apgar scores, cystic periventricular leukomalacia, central nervous systems homorrhage, fetal hypoxia or asphyxia, respiratory difficulties, neonatal infections (sepsis), neonatal seizures, and malformations outside of the central nervous system. Several conclusions common to the studies were: 1. Cerebral palsy currently cannot be identified prospectively; 2. Unknown risk factors must contribute to CP accounting for the previously unexplained variance in occurance; and 3. The etiology of CP is thought to be an interactive model. Combinations of variables cause CP with greater frequency than do single variables.