title: Prevalence and functioning of children with cerebral palsy in four areas of the United States in 2006: a report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and the frequency of co-occurring developmental disabilities (DDs), gross motor function (GMF), and walking ability using the largest surveillance DD database in the US.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted population-based surveillance of 8-year-old children in 2006 (N=142,338), in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Missouri. This multi-site collaboration involved retrospective record review at multiple sources. We reported CP subtype, co-occurring DDs, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and walking ability as well as CP period prevalence by race/ethnicity and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CP prevalence was 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1-3.7) per 1000 and varied by site, ranging from 2.9 (Wisconsin) to 3.8 (Georgia) per 1000, 8-year olds (p<0.02). Approximately 81% had spastic CP. Among children with CP, 8% had an autism spectrum disorder and 35% had epilepsy. Using the GMFCS, 38.1% functioned at the highest level (I), with 17.1% at the lowest level (V). Fifty-six percent were able to walk independently and 33% had limited or no walking ability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surveillance data are enhanced when factors such as functioning and co-occurring conditions known to affect clinical service needs, quality of life, and health care are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC56, Tampa, FL 33612, United States. rkirby@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Russell S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Martha S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wingate
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Naarden Braun
authors.forename: Nancy S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Doernberg
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Arneson
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Benedict
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mulvihill
authors.forename: Maureen S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Durkin
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Maenner
authors.forename: Jean A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Patz
authors.forename: Marshalyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yeargin-Allsopp
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016138:Walking