DOHA: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the second most common disability among children in Qatar, after speech and hearing problems, says a senior consultant of Developmental Paediatrics and Rehabilitation at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Talking to The Peninsula yesterday on the sidelines of a seminar on cerebral palsy at HMC Education Center, Dr Haitham El Beshir said, 20 to 30 percent of the cases being referred to the Children Rehabilitation Center at Rumailah Hospital were found to be suffering from cerebral palsy.
"We don't have accurate data about the incidence of cerebral palsy in Qatar. We are planning a detailed study focusing on the prevalence of the disease in the country and other issues related with rehabilitation and treatment of children suffering from this illness," said El Bashir.
He said pre-natal factors like trauma and infection during pregnancy are the most common causes of cerebral palsy, while children can develop this illness after birth due to complications at the time of delivery or post-natal factors.
Early detection and intervention are highly important in the treatment of cerebral palsy. The most severe cases are being admitted at the inpatient section at the Rumailah Hospital while the Rehabilitation Center provides support for treatment of other cases.
"Treatment of cerebral palsy is a multi-disciplinary task which needs the support of specialists from various disciplines as well as the family and society. Education is a very important factor in rehabilitation of children suffering from this illness. Some of these children can be put in the main stream schools, while special facilities are required for education of those suffering from a severe type of cerebral palsy," said El Bashir.
Dr Khalid Ibrahim, senior consultant, pediatric neurology at HMC said improved obstetrics care and post-natal care had resulted in high survival rate of children suffering from cerebral palsy.
"According to rough estimates, about 30 to 50 cases of cerebral palsy are detected in Qatar every year, but exact figures are not available yet," said Ibrahim.
Dr Mutaz Ahmed, senior consultant (dental), while stressing the importance of dental hygiene for children suffering from cerebral palsy, said the support of specialists are required in the daily care of these children.
By Mohammed Iqbal
© The Peninsula 2009
