Abstract: Objective To investigate the distribution of complications and the relationship with neurologic subtype and gross motor function in preterm infants with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods The type, grade of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), intelligence,speech, ophthalmologic consultation, brainstem auditory evoked potential and electroencephalogram of 135 preterm infants with CP were reviewed. Results There were 284 complications in total, (2.10±1.33) per child, and was significantly different among various types of CP (F=5.50, P<0.001). The incidence of mental retardation and speech disorder was significant different among various types (P<0.05). The incidence of mental retardation, speech disorder, visual impairment and epilepsy increased significantly (P<0.05) in spastic quadriplegia infants,compared with those with diplegia and hemiplegia. The incidence of mental retardation, speech disorder, visual impairment and musculoskeletal disorder was significantly different (P<0.05) among various grades of GMFCS. The frequency of complications was more in children unable to walk (GMFCS Ⅳ~Ⅴ) than able to walk (GMFCS Ⅰ~Ⅲ) for children over 2 years old (t=70.05, P<0.001). Conclusion The incidence of mental retardation, speech disorder, visual and hearing impairment, secondary musculoskeletal disorder and the multiple disorders are related with neurologic subtype and/or the grade of GMFCS.

Key words: preterm, cerebral palsy, complications, neurologic subtype, gross motor function