Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria | Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education,
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Ikeoluwa A. Lagunju, Department of
Pediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 803 585
7326; E-mail: ilagunju@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: Although cerebral palsy (CP) is primarily a motor disorder, a
significant proportion of individuals with CP have associated neurocognitive
and sensory impairments that adversely affect the prognosis of the disease.
This study was undertaken to determine the pattern and burden of associated
neurocognitive and sensory deficits in Nigerian children with CP. All
consecutive cases of CP seen at the Pediatric Neurology clinic of the
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria over a period of 3 years were
evaluated for severity of motor impairment and any accompanying neurocognitive
and sensory deficits. A total of 303 children, 187 males and 116 females were
studied. Severe perinatal asphyxia (42.2%), bilirubin encephalopathy
(23.4%) and intracranial infections (15.8%) were the leading risk factors
for CP. Associated neurocognitive/sensory impairments were present in 269
(88.8%) of the cases. The most frequent deficits, which are associated with
day to day functioning, were epilepsy (40.3%), hearing impairment
(33.0%), visual impairment (32.0%), growth impairment (29.0%) and
speech disorders (24.8%). Cognitive impairment was present in 30 (83.3%)
of the 36 children aged 6 years and above. Deficits were multiple in 51.5%
of the cases. The study showed a statistically increased risk of multiple
neurocognitive and sensory deficits with presence of spastic quadriparesis
(P< 0.001, odds ratio 2.553, 95% confidence interval
1.55–4.25) and microcephaly (P< 0.001, odds ratio 3.83,
95% confidence interval 2.38–6.18). Neurocognitive and sensory impairments
are common in Nigerian children with CP. These can further compromise the
quality of life and increase the burden of care on affected children and their families.
