Title : Prevalence of cerebral palsy in regions with different ethnic compositions
Abstract:
Objectives: To compare the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) among populations with different ethnic compositions in the Lankaran region.
Methods:This study is based on official statistical data on CP cases recorded during the first four years of life among children born between 2008 and 2017 in the administrative districts of the Lankaran Economic Region (Astara, Lerik, Lankaran, Masalli, Yardimli, and Jalilabad). A total of 497 cases were analyzed, and the incidence rate per 1,000 live births, along with the standard error, were calculated.
Results:In Lankaran, the average incidence of CP cases among children born between 2008 and 2017 was 3.87% ± 0.40% per 1,000 live births, which was statistically significantly higher than the national average (2.81% ± 0.06%) (p = 0.05). Across different birth years, the incidence ranged from 1.11% ± 0.7% (2017) to 6.13% ± 1.57% (2008). The difference between the maximum and minimum values was statistically significant (p = 0.02), with a ratio exceeding 5. Throughout the observation period, the prevalence of CP showed irregular fluctuations with a consistent trend.
In Lerik, the CP incidence was 3.83% ± 0.\52%, varying between 1.49% (2015) and 8.86% (2016), with a significant difference (p = 0.02). The prevalance also fluctuated. Lankaran and Lerik had similar CP prevalence rates (p > 0.05).
In Masalli, the incidence was 0.58% ± 0.12%, significantly lower than in Lankaran and Lerik (p = 0.01). The values ranged from 0 to 1.47%, without significant variation across years. Jalilabad showed similar results (0.90% ± 0.14%), as did Astara and Yardimli.
Thus, two district groups were identified:
- Low- CP incidence districts (≤1.09%): Masalli, Jalilabad, Astara, and Yardimli.
- High- CP incidence districts(above the national average): Lankaran and Lerik.
The proportion of Azerbaijanis in these districts varied as follows: Astara – 60%, Lankaran – 73.5%, Masalli – 92%, Lerik – 97%, Jalilabad – 99.9%, and Yardimli – 100%. The ranking of these districts by CP prevalence was as follows: Masalli, Astara, Jalilabad, Yardimli, Lerik, and Lankaran. The rank correlation coefficient between ethnic composition and CP prevalence was zero, indicating no statistical relationship.
Conclusions: The prevalence of CP among children aged 0–4 years did not significantly differ between districts with varying ethnic compositions. The findings suggest that ethnicity does not play a decisive role in CP incidence.
