Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy
10:02

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy

Published on: November 3, 2016

Cerebral palsy of post-neonatal origin: characteristics and risk factors

Christine Cans1, Vicki McManus, Michael Crowley

  • 1Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire (CHU) de Grenoble, France. christine.cans@imag.fr

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
|May 8, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Post-neonatal cerebral palsy (CP) rates decreased from 1976-90, primarily caused by infections. Low birthweight increased CP risk, and post-neonatal CP cases showed more severe functional patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture.
  • Post-neonatal CP arises after 28 days of birth and before 25 months, with distinct etiologies.
  • Understanding trends and risk factors for post-neonatal CP is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and temporal trends of post-neonatal CP.
  • To investigate the causes and risk factors associated with post-neonatal CP.
  • To compare the characteristics of post-neonatal CP with other forms of CP.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a European database and seven registers (Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe collaboration).
  • Inclusion of children with post-neonatal CP born between 1976 and 1990.
  • Etiological classification using a previously published system, achieving 99% case allocation.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of post-neonatal CP was 1.26 per 10,000 live births, showing a significant decrease from 1976-90 (P = 0.011).
  • Infections (50%), vascular episodes (20%), and head injury (18%) were the primary causes.
  • While overall causes remained stable, infections like Reye's syndrome and non-CNS infections decreased significantly (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively).
  • Low birthweight (<2500 g) was associated with an increased risk of post-neonatal CP (P < 0.001).
  • Children with post-neonatal CP exhibited more severe functional impairments compared to those with non-post-neonatal CP.

Conclusions:

  • Public health initiatives targeting brain injury prevention in early childhood are essential.
  • Continued monitoring of post-neonatal CP frequency and characteristics is necessary to assess the impact of preventive measures.
  • Understanding the specific trends within infection-related CP, such as the decline in Reye's syndrome, informs targeted public health strategies.

More Related Videos

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats07:36

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

Published on: November 20, 2015

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia06:24

Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia

Published on: May 18, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Parkinson Disease l: Introduction01:24

Parkinson Disease l: Introduction

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement. It is characterized by motor symptoms such as resting tremors, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. Patients may notice hand tremors at rest, stiffness during movement, or a shuffling gait. In addition to motor features, non-motor symptoms include sleep disturbances, mood and behavioral changes, constipation, and cognitive impairment, all of which...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...