In this study our aim was to determine some of the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 98 cerebral palsy(CP) cases who were hospitalized for rehabilitation in our hospital.

Age, sex, Denver developmental age, etiologic factors, type of CP and concurrent medical problems of these cases and educational level and occupations of their parents were investigated. The mean age of the cases was 5.8 years. 52 % were female, 48% were male. Nearly all of the mothers (97.9%) were housewives and 26.5% were illiterate. 48.9% of the fathers were self-employed and 58.1% were graduated from primary school. The type of CP was spastic in 77 patients (78.5%), mixed in 14 (14.3%), dyskinetic in 5 (5.1%) and hypotonic in 2(2.04%) of the cases. Premature delivery (40.8%), asphyxia due to obstructed labour (34.7%) and consangious marriage were found to be the first three etiologic factors. In 79 (80.6%) of the cases there were musculoskeletal deformities of which 59.1 % were foot and ankle deformities. 52.04% strabismus and 45.9% speech problems were concurrent problems in these cases.

In conclusion, the necessity of the expanded community rehabilitation for the prevention of CP and the importance of multidisciplinary approach during the rehabilitation program and early diagnosis was emphasized.