Background

Studies from high-income countries reported reduced life expectancy in children with cerebral palsy (CP), while no population-based study has evaluated mortality of children with CP in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to estimate the mortality rate (MR) of children with CP in a rural region of Uganda and identify risk factors and causes of death (CODs).

Methods and findings

This population-based, longitudinal cohort study was based on data from Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System in eastern Uganda. We identified 97 children (aged 2-17 years) with CP in 2015, whom we followed to 2019. They were compared with an age-matched cohort from the general population (n = 41 319). MRs, MR ratios (MRRs), hazard ratios (HRs), and immediate CODs were determined. MR was 3952 per 100 000 person years (95% CI 2212-6519) in children with CP and 137 per 100 000 person years (95% CI 117-159) in the general population. Standardized MRR was 25 center dot 3 in the CP cohort, compared with the general population. In children with CP, risk of death was higher in those with severe gross motor impairments than in those with milder impairments (HR 6 center dot 8; p = 0 center dot 007) and in those with severe malnutrition than in those less malnourished (HR = 3 center dot 7; p = 0 center dot 052). MR was higher in females in the CP cohort, with a higher MRR in females (53 center dot 0; 95% CI 26 center dot 4-106 center dot 3) than in males (16 center dot 3; 95% CI 7 center dot 2-37 center dot 2). Age had no significant effect on MR in the CP cohort, but MRR was higher at 10-18 years (39 center dot 6; 95% CI 14 center dot 2-110 center dot 0) than at 2-6 years (21 center dot 0; 95% CI 10 center dot 2-43 center dot 2). Anaemia, malaria, and other infections were the most common CODs in the CP cohort.

Conclusions

Risk of premature death was excessively high in children with CP in rural sub-Saharan Africa, especially in those with severe motor impairments or malnutrition. While global childhood mortality has significantly decreased during recent decades, this observed excessive mortality is a hidden humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed.