Obstetric complications as risk factors for cerebral palsy or seizure disorders

Abstract

In a prospective study, late obstetric complications were common, one or more occurring in 62% of 51,285 pregnancies. These complications were examined as risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) or nonfebrile seizure disorders. Certain complications were associated with an increased rate of CP. Babies > 2500 g, the observed rate of CP did not exceed 2% following any condition evaluated. For most conditions, the CP rate was highest in the small subgroup of children who had 5-min Apgar scores of 3 or less. Most babies > 2500 g born after each complication achieved 5-min Apgar scores .gtoreq. 7, and for them the risk of CP was not significantly greater than in children whose births were uncomplicated. Neither the complications considered nor Apgar scores were important antecedents of nonfebrile seizure disorders in children free of CP.