Differing risk factors for cerebral palsy in the presence of mental retardation and epilepsy

Whether the combined diagnosis of cerebral palsy with mental retardation or with mental retardation and epilepsy reflects more severe manifestations o f the spectrum of cerebral palsy, or whether these conditions reflect overl apping outcomes related to different exposure, remains an open question. At two centers, in Rome and Conegliano, Italy, 51 children with combined cere bral palsy, mental retardation, and epilepsy, 31 children with both cerebra l palsy and mental retardation, and 48 with cerebral palsy alone were ident ified and examined, and their mothers interviewed. The triple diagnosis gro up was significantly more likely than the other two groups to have a histor y of neonatal convulsions and a history of epilepsy in first-degree relativ es, but less likely to have a mother's age at delivery greater than 33 year s, a birthweight less than 1500 g, or gestational age less than 32 weeks. T he dual diagnosis group was more likely than the other two groups to have m aternal education of less than 8 years. These data suggest the possibility of different etiopathogenetic pathways for various presentations of cerebra l palsy.