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Variation in cerebral palsy profile by socio‐economic status
Author(s) -
Oskoui Maryam,
Messerlian Carmen,
Blair Alexandra,
Gamache Philippe,
Shevell Michael
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12808
Subject(s) - social deprivation , mediation , socioeconomic status , demography , medicine , cohort , cerebral palsy , psychology , gerontology , environmental health , population , psychiatry , political science , law , economics , economic growth , sociology
Aim Socio‐economic differences in maternal and child health are well recognized, but the role of individual‐level and area‐level determinants in cerebral palsy (CP) phenotypes is debated. We set out to examine (1) the association between area‐level and individual‐level measures of socio‐economic deprivation and CP phenotype among children, including subtype, severity, and comorbidities; and (2) the direct effect of area‐level deprivation not mediated through individual‐level deprivation. Method Regional data from a provincial CP register were analyzed. The outcome of interest was CP phenotype. The area‐level exposure was measured using the Pampalon Deprivation Index. Individual‐level socio‐economic status (SES) was determined using maternal education. We conducted multiple regression models, stratified by preterm birth, controlling for key covariates, and a mediation analysis of area‐level deprivation on the association between individual SES and CP phenotype. Results A socio‐economic gradient in mobility was seen in our cohort, above and beyond differences in maternal and perinatal factors. The added direct effect of area‐level deprivation was seen only in children whose mothers were educated to a higher level, suggesting no additional contribution of area‐level deprivation in children of mothers with a lower level of education. Interpretation Contextual socio‐economic factors can impact the severity of CP. These findings indicate important areas for potential community‐level or area‐level public health intervention (i.e. neighborhood reinvestment, preventive measures), and suggest that neighborhood‐level research in maternal and perinatal health should continue to be pursued.