Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder due to insult in the developing brain. This causes disorder in muscle tone, posture and movement. It is prevalent all over the world with a variation in incidence, prevalence and epidemiology. Even the epidemiologic risk factors are changing in the same region over the years.

Objective: The objective of the study was to analysis the distribution, pattern and risk factors of cerebral palsy in northern region of rural Bangladesh.

Methodology: This prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 Children of CP by Rangpur Mother and Children Hospital from 1.1.2016 to 31.12.2017. There is a Disability Service and Training Center attached to this Hospital. A total of 1800 children of possible disability were enrolled here during this period. Among them 525 children was diagnosed as cerebral palsy by using an Interview Schedule which contained history, physical examination, developmental assessment and relevant laboratory investigations. Data on epidemiological factors and other co-morbidities from these children was analyzed and compared with the results of other studies conducted in home and abroad.

Result: Spastic type of CP was common (76.9%) followed by dyskinetic type (12.8) and ataxic type (10.3%). Seventy six percent children came from poor families with parental education up to primary level. Primigravidae mothers were 65% and home delivery was present in 77% of cases. Perinatal asphyxia was present in 82.0% of cases in those who were delivered at home followed by low birth weight. The other risk factors were severe jaundice, neonatal septicaemia, neonatal convulsion, meningitis and toxoplasmosis. All the children were mentally retarded of various grades. Other co-morbidities were epilepsy (35.0%), drooling, visual defect, speech defect and hearing defect. The risk factors differ from those in developed countries.

Conclusion: Cerebral palsy is a common disability in children in rural Bangladesh. Perinatal asphyxia is still the common risk factors in this region.

Mode of presentation: Plenary session