title: The contribution of developmental surveillance to early detection of cerebral palsy.
abstract: A retrospective study of the contribution of examinations at Child Health Centres (CHC) for early detection of cerebral palsy (CP) was performed in 23,924 children, born in 1986-90, in the south-western part of Stockholm County. The outcome assessed was age of referral to a habilitation unit. A total of 66 children with CP (2.76/1000) were identified through the register at the responsible habilitation unit. The age of referral was, median 8 months, mean 12.4 months and range 0.5-54 months. A peak of referrals at 8-9 months was produced by CHC checks at 6 months of age. No other examination at the CHC resulted in a significant number of referrals. Nineteen records from CHC concerning moderate and severe cases were reviewed. Out of all examinations with aberrant findings only 11/20 resulted in referrals or further examinations. No child with moderate or severe CP was referred due to developmental screening test findings only.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bremberg
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology