Trends in the Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in a Population-Based Study

Abstract

In the only ongoing population-based study of CP in the United States, there has been a modest increase in the prevalence of CP in 1-year survivors born from 1975-1991. This increase however was seen only in infant survivors of normal birth weight. No change was seen in the trends in CP prevalence in low birth weight and very low birth weight infant based on infant survivors.

Trends in prevalence of cerebral palsy in children born with a birthweight of 2,500 g or over in Europe from 1980 to 1998

“…[12,13] Most of them reported stable prevalence rates from the 1970s to the 1990s. [4,[14][15][16][17] However, a small increase was reported in USA between 1975 and 1991 [18] while in Sweden the monitoring from the 1950s to the 1990s showed an increase in prevalence from the beginning of the 1970s to the mid 1980s followed by a decrease. [19] Also, in Iceland a decrease in prevalence for term babies was observed in 1997-2003 in comparison with [1990][1991][1992][1993][1994][1995][1996].…”

Maternal Infection and Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Term and Preterm Infants

“…CP affects approximately 15/1000 infants weighing <2500 g at birth and increased in prevalence in the 1970s and 1980s possibly due to the increased survival of low birth weight and very low birth weight infants. 1 Term infants have a relatively low absolute risk of developing CP, but, because the majority of births are term, they account for about half the births of children with CP. 2 Prevalence of CP in term infants has remained about 1.3 to 1.5 per 1000 live births.…”

Nutrition and growth in children with cerebral palsy: setting the scene

“…Epidemiological data on the prevalence of cerebral palsy show that in those who are premature, weighing o1500 g at birth, cerebral palsy occurs in up to 65 per 1000 live births. 1 The recent EPICURE 2 study showed that although the survival of preterm neonates of 22-25 weeks gestation has improved from 1995 to 2006, the proportion with severe disability is unchanged. 2 Moreover, the life expectancy of these children is gradually improving, with survival curves for 10-year old boys with cerebral palsy showing a 50% survival into their late 20s (http://www.lifeexpectancy.org/survival.shtml).…”