Decreasing prevalence in cerebral palsy: a multi-site European population-based study, 1980 to 2003.
OBJECTIVE
To monitor the trends in prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) by birthweight in Europe, 1980 to 2003.


METHODS
Data were collated from 20 population-based registers contributing to the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe database. Trend analyses were conducted in four birthweight groups: <1000g (extremely low birthweight [ELBW]); 1000 to 1499g (very low birthweight [VLBW]); 1500 to 2499g (moderately low birthweight [MLBW]); and >2499g (normal birthweight [NBW]).


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of CP decreased from 1.90 to 1.77 per 1000 live births, p<0.001, with a mean annual fall of 0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.3% to -1.0%). Prevalence in NBW children showed a non-significant trend from 1.17 to 0.89 per 1000 live births (p=0.22). Prevalence in MLBW children decreased from 8.5 to 6.2 per 1000 live births (p<0.001), but not linearly. Prevalence in VLBW children also declined from 70.9 to 35.9 per 1000 live births (p<0.001) with a mean annual fall of 3.4% (95% CI -2.4% to -4.3%). Prevalence in ELBW children remained stable, at a mean rate of 42.4 per 1000 live births.


CONCLUSIONS
The decline in prevalence of CP in children of VLBW continues, and confirms that previously reported. For the first time, there is also a significant decline among those of MLBW, resulting in a significant overall decrease in the prevalence of CP.
UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS/TIMC-IMAG UMR 5525, Grenoble, France.|CHU Grenoble, Pôle Santé Publique, Grenoble, France.
Elodie
E
Sellier
Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
Mary Jane
MJ
Platt
The Cerebral Palsy Register of Norway, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.
Guro L
GL
Andersen
University Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Tuebingen, Germany.
Ingeborg
I
Krägeloh-Mann
IMAS12 Research Institute, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain.
Javier
J
De La Cruz
UJF-Grenoble 1/CNRS/TIMC-IMAG UMR 5525, Grenoble, France.|CHU Grenoble, Pôle Santé Publique, Grenoble, France.|RHEOP, Grenoble, France.
Christine
C
Cans
D001724:Birth Weight; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*