Cerebral palsy rates are dropping in Australia

New research published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology indicates that fewer babies in Australia are being born with cerebral palsy, a lifelong disorder of movement and posture resulting from injury or maldevelopment of the developing brain.

According to Australian Cerebral Palsy Register data on singleton births from 1995 to 2014, the prevalence of cerebral palsy at or around the time of birth declined from 1.8 per 1,000 live births in 1995–96 to 1.2 per 1,000 live births in 201314. Declines occurred across all gestational ages, with the largest decline observed amongst children born < 28 weeks’ gestation. The prevalence of moderate-severe disability amongst children with cerebral palsy also declined for children born <28 and ≥37 weeks. “These findings are encouraging and importantly show the cumulative impact of interventions that support maternal and perinatal well-being” said lead author Hayley Smithers-Sheedy, PhD, of The University of Sydney. URL Upon Publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.15195

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About the Journal

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN) is a multidisciplinary journal that has defined the fields of paediatric neurology and childhood-onset neurodisability for over 60 years. DMCN disseminates the latest clinical research results globally to enhance the care and improve the lives of disabled children and their families.

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