New Data on Prevelance of Cerebral Palsy
March 10, 2008
CDC released a new study in the March 2008 issue of Pediatrics which shows the average prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) as 3.6 per 1,000 children or about 1 in 278 children. This first report of the prevalence and characteristics of CP, the most common cause of motor disability in childhood, are from Georgia, Alabama and Wisconsin.
The study, "Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in 8-year-old Children in Three Areas of the United States in 2002: A Multisite Collaboration," found the prevalence to be remarkably similar across all three sites, ranging from 3.3 in Wisconsin to 3.8 in Georgia. All sites reported the highest prevalence among boys, African-Americans and those living in low- and middle-income neighborhoods. Prevalence rates were lowest among Hispanic children.
As many of you know, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability to move and keep their balance and posture as a result of an injury to parts of the brain, or as a result of a problem with development. CDC has developed a feature article about cerebral palsy that we encourage you to share with your partners, colleagues, and friends.
