Determinants of Cerebral Palsy in Pediatric Patients in Northern Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Study

Introduction. Cerebral palsy is the most common neurologic disorder of childhood with lifelong implications in majority of patients. Knowledge of the determinants of cerebral palsy is important for accurate mobilization of resources in obstetric, perinatal, and infant care besides implementation of prevention systems. In Ethiopia, however, this knowledge gap exists as there are no published studies on determinants of cerebral palsy in the country. Objective. To assess the determinants of cerebral palsy in pediatric patients attending Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital between April 2019 and August 2019. Methods. An unmatched case-control study was conducted among 50 pediatric cerebral palsy patients and 100 controls, pediatric patients without cerebral palsy or other motor or central nervous system illnesses, attending Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Results. Significant factors were operative vaginal delivery (AOR: 9.49, 95% CI: 1.31–68.88), central nervous system infections (AOR: 0.02, 95% CI: 0–0.58), neonatal admissions (AOR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03–0.61), and unknown maternal education status (AOR: 18.64, 95% CI: 2.15–161.73). Conclusion. Operative vaginal delivery, central nervous system infections in infancy, neonatal hospital admissions, and unknown maternal education status were found to be significant determinants for cerebral palsy. This knowledge aids focused hospital and regional health bureau development and implementation of prevention strategies for cerebral palsy, besides improvement of obstetric and neonatal healthcare services, and provides baseline data to the scientific community for further research.

Fetomaternal outcome in operative vaginal delivery

Background: Operative vaginal deliveries (OVD) were performed with the help of vacuum or forceps in the second stage of labor when mother and foetus condition is threatening. A successful assisted vaginal delivery avoids caesarean section and its associated morbidity and implications for future pregnancy. The aim of the study was to assess the maternal and neonatal outcome of vacuum and forceps assisted vaginal deliveries.Methods: It was a retrospective comparative cross sectional study done in VMKVMCH, Salem in obstetrics and gynecology department, from the period of April to June 2021. All the mothers delivered by operative vaginal delivery were included. Mothers with multiple pregnancies, preterm and breech presentation were excluded. Data collected using patients information sheet and analysis was done using SPSS 23. P value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: The most common age group was 21-25 years of age in both groups and most commonly used in primigravida. The most common indication for forceps assisted delivery in our study was the prolonged second stage labour and in vacuum delivery was poor maternal effort. In our study, common complication noted was extended episiotomy followed by perineal tear in forceps group and vice versa in vacuum group. Cephalhematoma was found to be more common in vacuum and scalp and instrumental injuries were more common in forceps assisted vaginal deliveries.Conclusions: Operative vaginal deliveries helps in improving both maternal and foetal outcomes and reduces the caesarean delivery rate and vacuum significantly reduces maternal trauma than forceps. No difference noted in neonatal outcome.

Risk factors for post-partum hemorrhage in patients who underwent operative vaginal delivery in a tertiary care center

Background: Operative vaginal delivery is a timely intervention to cut short second stage labor when imminent delivery is in the interests of mother, fetus, or both. It reduces second stage cesarean section morbidity and uterine scar and its influence on future obstetric career. The possible structural neonatal adverse outcomes due to operative vaginal delivery are well quantified. However, its effects on maternal outcome need to be understood better. In this paper, we study the effect of operative vaginal delivery on maternal post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) and the associated risk factors.Methods: It was a retrospective study carried out for the period July 2016 to July 2020 at Ramaiah Medical College, Bengaluru. Total number of vaginal deliveries in this period were 6318. Out of these, 1020 patients underwent assisted vaginal delivery using vacuum/ forceps/ sequential use of instrument. Blood loss greater than 500 ml is considered PPH for the purpose of this study. 15% of the study population was noted to have PPH. We employ a multivariate logistic regression to identify statistically significant risk factors for PPH in women undergoing operative vaginal delivery.Results: The logistic regression model identifies multiparity, maternal age, neonatal birth weight more than 3.5 kg, application of forceps in women with hypertensive disorders, III-degree tear, cervical tear to significantly increase the risk of PPH in our study population.Conclusions: Certain factors seem to increase the risk of PPH in operative vaginal delivery. The risks and benefits must be weighed properly before use of instruments.