Antenatal and Perinatal Conditions Correlated to Handicap Among 4-Year-Old Children

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of maternal prepregnancy and pregnancy-related risk factors, complicated delivery, and perinatal morbidity on subsequent handicaps in children. We surveyed a birth cohort of 4102 mothers and 4138 children in Frederiksborg County, Denmark. Maternal risk factors were defined according to guidelines published by the Danish National Board of Health, and perinatal morbidity and handicaps according to World Health Organization guidelines. The incidence of handicaps: (cerebral palsy, mental retardation [mild and severe], epilepsy, severe defects of vision and hearing); was 44 of 4038 children (twins and neonatal deaths were excluded). A combination of three or more maternal risk factors was found to be a predictor of risk for children with later handicaps; the incidence of handicaps was 11 times higher than in mothers with no risk factors. Eleven percent of all mothers had three or more risk factors and they had 43% of the handicapped children. Multiparity increased the risk in all risk categories. Of complications at delivery, intrapartum asphyxia, as evident from Apgar scores of less than 7 at 1 minute and less than 10 at 10 minutes in particular, was a strong predictor of a later handicap. Premature rupture of membranes for more than 24 hours was also significantly associated with later handicaps. Perinatal morbidity was correlated with a later handicap. The perinatal complication most strongly associated with later handicaps was low birthweight. Forty-eight percent of the affected children had a birthweight of less than 2500 gm and were small for gestational age. We conclude that the incidence of handicaps could possibly be reduced if the causes of the following maternal risk factors were identified and, if possible, eliminated: previous delivery of a child with a birthweight less than 2500 gm, previous delivery of a stillborn child, repeated abortions, severe infection during pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm delivery. Improved intrapartum diagnosis and prevention of asphyxia and treatment of children born with low Apgar scores would reduce the incidence of handicaps, as would intervention to prevent premature rupture of the membranes of more than 24 hour's duration.