Background Cerebral palsy is one of the main causes of neurologic dysfunction in term born children. Unlike that of the developed countries, most cases of cerebral palsy are due to perinatal asphyxia which is potentially preventable.

Aims This study Conducted to assess the perinatal risk factors for cerebral palsy in Tikur Anbessa Specialised hospital and to identify the possible clinical predictors of adverse neurologic outcome in asphyxiated children.

Methods A case -control study which is done by review of a four year (Jul 1, 2009 to Jul 1, 2013) patient’s medical record from a registry document whose current age is greater than 8 mos.

Result The result shows that 60.9%(28/46) of patients with CP had PNA in the earlier hours of neonatal life (OR: 4.95; P value 0.000) and 56% children who had had PNA have CP. The mean duration of hospital stay in patients with birth asphyxia 10 days in patients with CP as compared with control group which is 6 days and found to be a significant prognostic factor (OR= 0.411, CI: 0.11- 3.13 and P-value of 0.003. Severity of PNA at presentation is a poor prognostic factor (OR= 3.6, CI 1.7- 7.1 and P-value of 0.001). Spastic quadriplegic type of CP was found in 67.4% (31/46) children with CP.

Conclusion and recommendations Based on this study there is a significant contribution of PNA for cerebral palsy in term born normal weight children. Further research is recommended to find out possible preventable risk factors for PNA.