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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations
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Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations

Published on: February 2, 2024

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Cerebral palsy in preterm infants

Čila Demeši Drljan, Aleksandra Mikov, Karmela Filipović

    Vojnosanitetski Pregled
    |January 9, 2018
    PubMed

    Insights

    Preterm birth significantly impacts cerebral palsy (CP) type and functional ability. Early interventions for preterm infants are crucial for CP prevention strategies.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Neurology
    • Developmental Pediatrics
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of childhood neurological impairment.
    • Preterm birth is a major risk factor for developing CP.
    • CP can result in motor, intellectual, visual impairments, and epilepsy.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between gestational age and CP characteristics.
    • To analyze how gestational age influences CP type, functional ability, and associated conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • Study included 206 children diagnosed with CP.
    • Data collected from medical records included gestational age, CP type, and comorbidities.
    • CP classification used the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) system.
    • Gross motor function assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

    Main Results:

    • Over half (54.4%) of children with CP were born prematurely.
    • Gestational age significantly correlated with CP type (p < 0.001), with spastic bilateral CP more common in preterm infants.
    • Earlier gestational age was linked to higher GMFCS levels (p = 0.049), indicating greater functional limitation.
    • Extremely preterm infants had the highest rates of multiple associated conditions (70.0%).
    • Epilepsy prevalence was higher in infants born at greater gestational ages (p = 0.032).

    Conclusions:

    • Gestational age is a critical factor influencing CP presentation and severity.
    • Antenatal and postnatal care for preterm infants is vital for CP prevention.
    • Targeted interventions for preterm infants may mitigate CP-related outcomes.
    Abstract

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