Epidemiological, Clinical, Etiological and Therapeutic Aspects of Cerebral Palsy in Dakar

Cerebral palsy is one of the most frequent causes of motor disability in children. The aim of our study was to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, etiological, and therapeutic aspects in Dakar. This was a retrospective and descriptive study from March 2010 to March 2020 at the Albert Royer National Children's Hospital and the Neurology Department of the Fann National University Hospital. We collected 913 patients, 13.7% of all pediatric neurology consultations, out of which 556 (60.9%) were males. The average age of the patients was 32.99 months (ranging between 25 days and 17 years). The most common subtype was isolated axial hypotonia (50%) followed by pyramidal (40.5%) and 45% had epilepsy. Brain imaging revealed cortico-subcortical atrophy in 15% of cases. Five hundred and fifty-two children (60.5%) had an electroencephalogram out of which 19.4% had diffuse irritative anomalies. In terms of treatment, 73% had received motor kinesitherapy. Sodium valproate was the most commonly used antiseizure medication at 76.67%. The average follow-up was 12 months. Seven hundred and ninety-two children (86.8%) were lost to follow-up and 5 children (0.5%) died. Psychomotor development improved in 219 children (13.4%) who acquired standing. Note that 267 children (30%) in a stable sitting position and 29 children had acquired language. Cerebral palsy is a disabling condition that needs to be diagnosed early and early interventions can improve the quality of life of the child.