Cerebral palsy and perinatal mortality in children born in Norway to immigrant mothers

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the birth prevalence and clinical characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP) between children born to non-immigrant mothers and those born to immigrant mothers from high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as perinatal mortality rates. Data were collected from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Quality and Surveillance Registry for Cerebral Palsy, covering live births and perinatal deaths from 2000 to 2016.

Results showed that the prevalence of CP was higher among children of non-immigrant mothers, with a decreasing trend over time. Children of immigrant mothers from HICs had lower odds of CP, while those from LMICs also had lower odds despite higher rates of consanguinity and lower folate use during pregnancy. Perinatal mortality was higher among mothers from LMICs. Clinical characteristics of CP were similar across groups, but children from LMICs had a higher incidence of intellectual disabilities and brain grey matter injuries.