Global Burden of Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Neurological conditions in children represent a significant proportion of the global burden of disease, since they contribute to premature mortality and years lived with disability. The burden of neurological conditions, as measured by the total disability adjusted live years has decreased significantly over the last 25 years (1990-2015), mainly due to the reduction in the mortality, as the years lived with disability has increased slightly. However, in some regions of the world, notably South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the burden remains high, driven by the high incidence of prematurity, neonatal encephalopathy and infections of the central nervous system.