Cerebral Palsy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cerebral Palsy, including details on symptoms, causes, types.

Seasonal variations of cerebral palsy births in northeastern Poland.

Kulak W, Kulal W, Sobaniec W

Department of Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. kulak@hot.pl

BACKGROUND: The objective of this report was to examine the seasonal variations on the incidence of cerebral palsy (CP) in Podlasie province, Poland in a retrospective case-control study. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Department of Pediatric Neurology and Rehabilitation. Selected babies were all born between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1999; 212 children (116 boys, 96 girls) with CP were included in the study. We applied Cosinor analysis to examine the seasonality of CP births. RESULTS: The highest number of CP births occurred in spring and the lowest in winter, with intermediate values in summer and autumn. This seasonal pattern was significant for spring vs. winter. The peaks in CP births occurred in May and August. The lowest number of CP births occurred in February and December. We also demonstrated seasonal variation in CP births in girls and boys and Apgar score. Peaks in CP births in boys were noted in May and October and Apgar score in May and December, respectively. No significant relationship between mean temperature and Apgar score, low birthweight and asphyxia was found. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the seasonal patterns of CP births. Further studies should be performed with larger numbers of patients.

Published 25 April 2005 in Arch Med Res, 36(2): 178-82.
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