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Advanced Neurology Neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy

4. Discussion the severity of clinical manifestations in CP patients.
Specifically, CP patients with a history of NE exhibited
Our meta-analysis was conducted on the pooled data a higher incidence of spastic quadriplegia, consistent
from 1657 CP patients across 7 independent studies in the with previous reports . Our work also highlighted
[33]
existing literature, revealing that NE conditions exacerbate
the increased incidence of difficulties or impairments
Table 2. Summary of OR across defined types of comorbidities in communication, swallowing, and cognitive function
in these patients. It is essential to acknowledge that the
Comorbidities OR 95% CI P-value interpretation of our findings may be constrained by
Severe communication difficulties 2.33 1.32 – 4.10 0.003* the limited number of clinical studies that separately
Severe auditory impairment 1.62 0.34 – 7.59 0.54 report on CP cases with or without NE conditions at
Severe visual impairment 1.61 0.81 – 3.20 0.17 birth. Furthermore, NE has diverse etiologies beyond
Epilepsy 1.03 0.47 – 2.24 0.94 HIE [46,47] , introducing challenges and limitations to clinical
Difficulty swallowing 2.50 1.31 – 4.77 0.005* diagnosis, where only severe events may be identifiable.
This may contribute to underestimation in patients with
Cognitive impairment 2.73 1.45 – 5.13 0.002*
Note: *P<0.05. Abbreviations: 95% CI: 95% confidence intervals; OR:
Odd ratio.

Figure 9. Funnel plot for different subtypes of CP cases included in the
Figure 7. Funnel plot of OR for all CP cases included in the present present analysis. Symmetric scattering of published data is observed on
analysis. Relatively symmetric scattering of published data is observed on both sides of the overall OR (OR: 1.00).
both sides of the overall OR (OR: 0.18). Abbreviations: CP: Cerebral palsy; OR: Odds ratio.
Abbreviations: CP: Cerebral palsy; OR: Odds ratio.

Figure 8. Funnel plot for the sex factor in the CP cases included in the Figure 10. Funnel plot for comorbidities in CP cases included in the
present analysis. Symmetric scattering of published data is observed on present analysis. Symmetric scattering of published data is observed on
both sides of the overall OR (OR: 1.00). both sides of the overall OR (OR: 1.94).
Abbreviations: CP: Cerebral palsy; OR: Odds ratio. Abbreviations: CP: Cerebral palsy; OR: Odds ratio.

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2023) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/an.1719