Epidemiology of cerebral palsy

Definition of cerebral palsy (CP) has become more precise in recent years and, even if CP remains an umbrella term, a simple classification system for CP types has been proposed. CP is the commonest motor impairment in childhood. New validated motor scales for gross and fine motor functions describe a third of children with CP as severely impaired. Children with CP may also have associated impairments, other than motor, that deserve particular attention and support at school and work, and which are responsible for lower survival rates. The prevalence of CP, 2 per 1000 children, has remained remarkably stable over the last 30 years, particularly for term children who represent half of all children with CP. However, recently, a consistent downward trend has been seen in moderately and very low birth weight children. Prevention measures still seems difficult to define since CP is the result of multifactorial events. Decreasing multiple births and specific health actions during early infancy may have an impact. Followup programmes have been implemented to assess how the consequences of CP are best reduced.