A recent study involving nearly 7,000 children nationwide found that cerebral palsy diagnoses are on the rise for one segment of the population. Extremely preterm infants are born between 28 and 31 weeks of gestation and are at higher risk for many complications. While the number of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy was decreasing, this study shows that many are still at high risk.
About Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological conditions caused by abnormal development of the brain or brain damage in unborn babies and very young babies. It is the most common childhood disability related to motor skills and movement.
Several studies of cerebral palsy in children collected between the 1980s and early 2000s showed a decreasing trend in cases in most developed countries. Recent studies in the U.S. indicate that approximately one in 345 children have cerebral palsy.
The Nationwide Study of Cerebral Palsy
Prematurity and low birth weight are important risk factors for cerebral palsy. These babies are vulnerable to many complications, which can include brain damage or abnormal brain development. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk.
The most recent study of the risk of cerebral palsy collected information on nearly 7,000 children from 25 academic centers all over the country. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study included a broad representation of demographics across the country, with results that reflect national trends.
The researchers collected data for babies born extremely prematurely, before 27 weeks, but who also survived prematurity. The information was collected when the babies were between 18 and 26 months of age.
Increasing CP in Preterm Babies
The results showed the risk of cerebral palsy in this population increased by 11% every year from 2008 to 2019. Of the 6,927 children born extremely premature, 1,303, or 18.8% were later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Others were diagnosed with different neurological conditions or symptoms, and only 53.3% of the children showed normal neurological functioning.
Why Is CP on the Rise for Extremely Premature Infants?
While the study didn’t set out to find a reason for this increase in diagnoses, the researchers had a possible explanation. They believe that improved medical care for the most vulnerable preterm babies may account for more cases of CP later. More babies now survive extremely premature births than previously.
Another aspect of the increased risk may also be an improved diagnosis of cerebral palsy. As a highly varied group of conditions with no single test, diagnosing cerebral palsy can be difficult. This is especially true for children with mild CP.
A similar study conducted in Denmark and published in 2024 found similar results and increasing numbers of premature babies being diagnosed later with cerebral palsy. The Danish researchers also hypothesized that better medical care all around and more proactive neonatal care specifically account for the increase as more preterm babies survive.
The new information about cerebral palsy risk might initially seem alarming, but it may actually be good news. It seems to indicate that more vulnerable infants are surviving being born preterm. More research is needed to determine how these surviving infants will fare later in life.
