Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy

Data on selected known risk factors of CP were documented by reviewing available medical records and obtaining a detailed clinical history provided by the mothers/caregivers. The components of a pre- and perinatal history such as antenatal care practices (ANC), gestational age, birth weight, attendant of childbirth, history of any complications during delivery, history of febrile illness during pregnancy or labour, history of intrapartum-related neonatal respiratory depression (IPR NRD), and early feeding difficulties were documented following the standard guideline. A child was considered preterm if born before 37 weeks of gestation and was considered to have low birthweight if the birthweight was <2500 g [20 ]. A child was classified as having a history of intrapartum-related neonatal respiratory depression if they failed to cry at the time of birth, experienced delayed onset of breathing (>1 min), or required assistance to initiate breathing (ranging from drying, stimulation, milking the umbilical cord, or mouth-to-mouth breaths) following birth [21 (link)]. Probable intrapartum-related neonatal respiratory depression was defined as neonatal respiratory depression among infants born at term without congenital malformations [21 (link)].