Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Trends in the prevalence of cerebral palsy among very preterm infants (<31 weeks' gestational age)
Michael J Vincer1, Alexander C Allen2, Victoria M Allen3
1The Perinatal Follow-Up Program, IWK Health Centre; ; Department of Pediatrics; Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Insights
Cerebral palsy prevalence in very preterm infants fluctuated over 20 years, peaking alongside maternal anemia and tocolytic use. Lower infant mortality did not correlate with this trend.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Pediatric epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- The birth prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) in very preterm infants shows temporal variations.
- The underlying causes for these prevalence changes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate temporal trends in cerebral palsy prevalence among very preterm infants.
- To identify potential associations between CP prevalence and maternal/neonatal factors.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study analyzed very preterm infants over a 20-year period (1988-2007).
- The study divided the 20-year period into four equal epochs for analysis.
Main Results:
- Cerebral palsy prevalence peaked during the third epoch (1998-2002).
- Infant mortality rates peaked earlier, in the second epoch (1993-1997).
- Maternal anemia, tocolytic use, and the need for home oxygen in newborns were highest during the third epoch.
Conclusions:
- Decreased mortality rates did not consistently correlate with cerebral palsy prevalence.
- Peak cerebral palsy prevalence coincided with increased maternal anemia, tocolytic use, and neonatal home oxygen requirements.
Background:
The birth prevalence of cerebral palsy varies over time among very preterm infants, and the reasons are poorly understood.
Objective:
To describe the variation in the prevalence of cerebral palsy among very preterm infants over time, and to relate these differences to other maternal or neonatal factors.
Methods:
A population-based cohort of very preterm infants was evaluated over a 20-year period (1988 to 2007) divided into four equal epochs.
Results:
The prevalence of cerebral palsy peaked in the third epoch (1998 to 2002) while mortality rate peaked in the second epoch (1993 to 1997). Maternal anemia, tocolytic use and neonatal need for home oxygen were highest in the third epoch.
Conclusions:
Lower mortality rates did not correlate well with the prevalence of cerebral palsy. Maternal risk factors, anemia and tocolytic use, and the newborn need for home oxygen were highest during the same epoch as the peak prevalence of cerebral palsy.
