A Clinical and Etiologic Profile of Spastic Diplegia

To identify the clinical and etiologic profile of children with spastic diplegia, the medical records of patients with spastic diplegia in a single practice over a 12-year period were systematically and retrospectively reviewed. Clinical factors and possible etiology based on investigations were identified. Univariate and binomial logistical regression analyses were undertaken to identify factors correlating with an etiologic determination. Chart review identified 54 children with spastic diplegia. There were 31 (57.4%) preterm children and 23 (42.6%) term children. Periventricular leukomalacia was diagnosed in 24 (44.4%) children (26.1% of term children, 58.1% of preterm children). An etiology was not identified in 25 (46.3%) children: 14 (60.9%) term children and 11 (35.5%) preterm children. Periventricular leukomalacia among all children correlated with a birth weight less than 2000 gm (P = 0.037), history of neonatal resuscitation (P = 0.004), and gestation less than 33 weeks (P = 0.001). Factors specifically associated with periventricular leukomalacia in term children were a problematic perinatal history (P = 0.011), a history of neonatal resuscitation (P = 0.011), and a history of neonatal respiratory distress (P = 0.046). Regression analysis revealed a correlation between an abnormal perinatal history and an etiology of periventricular leukomalacia among term children (odds ratio 8.67, 95% confidence interval 2.51-29.97, P = 0.001). Approximately half of all children with spastic diplegia encountered in clinical practice will have an etiology identified.