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  • Respiratory Health Inequiti...
    Sorhage, Alexandra; Keenan, Samantha; Chong, Jimmy; Byrnes, Cass; Blackmore, Amanda Marie; Mackey, Anna; Hill, Timothy; Han, Dug Yeo; Stott, Ngaire Susan

    Journal of clinical medicine, 11/2022, Volume: 11, Issue: 23
    Journal Article

    (1) Background: Respiratory disease is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and poor quality of life in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study describes the prevalence of CP-related respiratory disease and the non-modifiable risk factors for respiratory-related hospital admissions in the Aotearoa New Zealand population. (2) Methods: New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register (NZCPR) participant data and de-identified data from the National Minimum Dataset and Pharmaceutical Dispensing Collections were linked to identify all respiratory-related hospital admissions and respiratory illness-related antibiotic exposure over 5 years in individuals with CP (0−26 years). (3) Results: Risk factors for respiratory-related hospital admissions included being classified Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) IV or V compared to GMFCS I OR = 4.37 (2.90−6.58), p < 0.0001; OR = 11.8 (7.69−18.10), p < 0.0001, respectively,; having ≥2 antibiotics dispensed per year OR = 4.42 (3.01−6.48), p < 0.0001; and being of Māori ethnicity OR = 1.47 (1.13−1.93), p < 0.0047. Māori experienced health inequities compared to non-Māori, with greater functional disability, and also experienced greater antibiotic dispensing than the general population. (4) Conclusion: Māori children and young adults have a higher risk of respiratory-related illness. Priority should be given to the screening for potentially modifiable risk factors for all children with CP from diagnosis onwards in a way that ensures Māori health equity.