Bilateral spastic cerebral palsy--prevalence through four decades, motor function and growth

The aim was to depict changes in the prevalence and severity of bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) over a 40-year period. Another objective was to characterise the group born in 1991-1998 with respect to gross motor function, spasticity and growth. Data were obtained from the CP register of western Sweden and rehabilitation records.

After a rise to 1.27 per 1000 live births in 1983-1986, the prevalence decreased significantly, in children born both preterm and at term, to 0.69 in 1995-1998. After 1975, more children were born preterm than at term. There was a significant decrease in severe bilateral spastic CP during the same period, mainly in children born at term. In all, 46% of the children born at term and 33% of those born preterm had a severe motor impairment, i.e. no walking ability. In the 167 children born in 1991-1998, the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level was I in 14%, II in 34%, III in 10%, IV in 25% and V in 17%. The GMFCS level correlated with the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and the Ashworth spasticity scores, as well as with the deviation in postnatal weight and height. We conclude that the prevalence of bilateral spastic CP has decreased since the mid-1980s, parallel to a reduction in the severity of the motor impairment. Children born preterm have predominated since the mid-1970s. The severity of the motor impairment correlated with the degree of spasticity, GMFM and growth. The percentage of children who were underweight was substantial.