Clinical subtypes, etiology and associated comorbidities in children with cerebral palsy: a single center experience from southern region of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Objective: To study the cerebral palsy subtypes and their severity and to investigate the common associated complications.

Study design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Place & duration of study: This study was conducted in Pediatric Neurology Department, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Khamis Mushait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a tertiary hospital and referral center in region, and study utilized patient record from 1^st April 2023 to 31^st March 2026.

Methodology: We reviewed electronic medical records of pediatric patients aged between 1 to 14 years of age and having a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and under follow-up in Pediatric Neurology Department during the preceding 3 years. The study collected demographic, clinical, and imaging data, including comorbidities such as epilepsy, behavioral issues, cognitive impairment, sleep disorder, visual and hearing impairment, and constipation.

Results: The study included 106 patients with cerebral palsy, of which 55.7% were female and 44.3% were male. The majority of patients (70.75%) had spastic cerebral palsy with quadriplegia being the most common subtype.. In terms of age, the largest proportion of patients was between 5-10 years old (46.2%). Prematurity and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) were the most frequent diagnoses associated with cerebral palsy as seen in 25 cases each (23.58%). The 83.96% patients were identified to have seizures, while intellectual disability was witnessed in 75.47%. The 66.03% patients were bedridden (GMFCS-V). 85% have MRI findings characterized by global volume loss with structural malformation, while behavioral issues were evident in 30 patients (28.30%).

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that spastic cerebral palsy with quadriplegia is the most common subtype, with the majority of patients experiencing seizures and intellectual disability, while behavioral issues evident in significant proportion. Prematurity and HIE were the most common cause and periventricular leukomalacia was the most common MRI finding.