Investigating the burden of cerebral palsy in low- and middle-income countries: Implications and priorities for pediatric neurology

Abstract

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common pediatric physical disability worldwide presenting as a non-progressive motor dysfunction due to insults to the developing brain. While CP has a higher prevalence and burden in low- and middle-income countries, the most extensive research towards care and management of the patients with CP has been conducted in high-income countries. There is a disparate impact on CP from resource limited countries due to insufficient healthcare resources, barriers to healthcare access, inadequate public health awareness, and lack of accurate data.

In this article we examine the state of CP in low- and middle-income countries. We explore the multitude of environmental, socioeconomic, and infrastructural factors that contribute to the clinical profile of CP in these regions.

Finally, we high

light the primary areas of burden that need to be addressed in low- and middle-income countries: inadequate healthcare infrastructure and resources, lack of registries, social stigma with the and limited public health education, and strain on primary caregivers.