title: Association of cerebral palsy with consanguineous parents and other risk factors in a Palestinian population.
abstract: This case-control study investigated risk factors for cerebral palsy in a Palestinian population. Cases were 107 children aged 1-15 years at a cerebral palsy referral centre in Jerusalem; controls were 233 children without cerebral palsy from West Bank outpatient clinics. Data were collected from medical records and a structured questionnaire to parents. In stepwise logistical regression, consanguinity and birth deficits in other family members were positively associated with cerebral palsy (OR = 4.62; 95% CI: 2.07-10.3 and OR = 12.7; 95% CI: 3.13-51.7 respectively), suggesting a possible genetic link. Other risk factors were: perinatal hypoxia (OR = 92.5; 95% CI: 24.5-350), low birth weight (OR = 4.98; 95% CI: 2.01-12.3), twin births (OR = 9.25; 95% CI: 1.29-66.8) and no prenatal medical care (OR = 5.22; 95% CI: 1.18-23.1). This first stepwise model of significant and modifiable risk factors in our population provides useful evidence for policy-makers.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Abu Dies Campus, Jerusalem; Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, University of Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Palestine.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daher
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Abu Dies Campus, Jerusalem; Faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Professions, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: El-Khairy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires