Prevalence of cerebral palsy among children in South Asia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Aim To estimate the pooled prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) among children in South Asia. Method A comprehensive search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, Web of Science, and the BMC Journal Collection (BioMed Central), up to June 2025, for community‐based studies reporting CP prevalence among children aged 0 to 18 years. The data we extracted were analysed using the Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis v3.0, JASP and Stata software. A DerSimonian–Laird random‐effects model was applied to calculate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 statistic, while meta‐regression was performed to explore potential sources of variability across studies, including publication year, country, and study setting. Results Among the 1462 articles identified, 12 studies (629 036 children) were eligible for inclusion in the quantitative analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of CP was 2.385 (95% CI = 1.487–3.284) per 1000 South Asian children. According to the subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence rates for the study populations in rural, urban, rural–urban, and rural–semi‐urban areas were 1.984 (95% CI = 0.648–3.321), 2.356 (95% CI = 1.757–2.955), 1.812 (95% CI = 1.244–2.380), and 3.400 (95% CI = 3.153–3.647) respectively. Interpretation CP remains a significant yet often overlooked childhood disability in South Asia. Overall, the burden of CP in South Asia remains high. This review highlights geographical variations in CP prevalence, with higher prevalence rates in urban than rural areas. Establishing national CP registries and integrating screening into maternal and child health services are essential for effective surveillance, better resource allocation, and disability‐inclusive health policy development.