Perinatal and postnatal markers of cerebral palsy

Background. The aim of this study is to identify adverse factors of the perinatal and postnatal periods that provoke the onset of cerebral palsy. Materials and methods. The experimental study used theoretical methods aimed at analysing the results of scientific research and drawing conclusions. Empirical methods included analysis, comparison, data processing, interviews, and a questionnaire for parents of children with cerebral palsy. The latter included questions that covered perinatal (information about parents, pregnancy), intrapartum (features of the course of childbirth) and postnatal (assessment of the child’s general and neuromotor function) development. Indicators of the first manifestations of neurological symptoms and concomitant disorders were studied. Results. The results of the study materials give a clear idea that the perinatal period of development is an important stage of foetal functioning. Identification of pathological factors allows preventing negative consequences in advance. The studied children with cerebral palsy were at high risk at the stage of perinatal development. Their mothers experienced severe toxicosis/gestosis during pregnancy and were in hospital. Their health condition deteriorated due to chronic, infectious, viral diseases, and swelling of the extremities that affected the intrapartum period, including the course of labour, which often required medical or mechanical stimulation. Hypoxia, asphyxia and ischaemia were detected in newborns. They were found to be underweight, short, in need of artificial feeding, and in a prolonged painful condition. Children with cerebral palsy developed differently in the postnatal period, and most of them had delayed neuromotor development (holding the head, sitting, standing, walking) compared to normal peers. During medical examinations, the children were diagnosed with spastic diplegia, left-sided hyperkinesis, spastic tetraparesis, and spastic hemiparesis. They also had concomitant disorders, namely: speech hearing, vision disorders (strabismus), mental retardation. Conclusions. A comprehensive study of children with cerebral palsy in the perinatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods is extremely important. Early diagnosis will allow building the ways of perspective rehabilitation, outline the conditions of physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of a child with cerebral palsy, improve the quality of life and integration into society.