Cerebral Palsy: Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know

About three per 1,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the most common childhood disability.

Some children born with cerebral palsy can maintain independence, while others need help with self-care. Since cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that affects thousands of children and adults, it helps to understand the prevalence, risk factors, and survival rates of the condition.

Cerebral Palsy Overview

Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is permanently damaged while a child is still in utero (the mother is pregnant), during delivery, or shortly after birth.

When brain damage at this age causes any of the following, it is diagnosed as cerebral palsy:

• Weakness of one limb or one side of the body 
• Diminished ability to move the legs
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing 
• Vision impairment 
• Learning challenges
• Balance problems, impaired coordination, or walking difficulties 

Over time, the physical effects can lead to muscle atrophy (thinning of the muscles) and spasticity (muscle stiffness). 

How Common Is Cerebral Palsy? 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the worldwide incidence of cerebral palsy as between 1 to 4 per 1,000 births, and approximately 1 in 345 children in the United States is diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

According to the CDC, there has been a slight decline in the incidence of cerebral palsy since 1980 in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.

Cerebral Palsy by Ethnicity

The CDC states that the incidence of cerebral palsy in the U.S. is approximately equal among White children and Hispanic children and that it is significantly more common among Black children.

For people who have cerebral palsy, survival and cause of death differ by race and ethnicity.

The age at death of people who have cerebral palsy is highest among White people, followed by Asian people, Hispanic people, and Black people, then people who are Native American.

Black adults who have cerebral palsy are more likely than non-Hispanic White adults to die from heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases.

Cerebral Palsy by Age and Gender 

There is a risk of death due to the severe brain injuries that cause cerebral palsy or from complications associated with cerebral palsy. For this reason, the prevalence decreases with age as some people who have severe cerebral palsy do not survive. 

Cerebral palsy is present from birth, and it affects all sexes equally. A child or adult could not develop cerebral palsy if they weren't born with it.

Children and adults who experience severe head trauma or brain damage may develop similar disabilities and may need the same types of support and assistance as people who have cerebral palsy.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy and Risk Factors

Most of the time, children who are born with cerebral palsy do not have a specific identifiable risk factor. But there are factors that can increase the likelihood of a child having cerebral palsy. 

Risk factors include:

• The mother having a severe infection or illness during pregnancy 
• A family history of cerebral palsy 
• Developmental malformation of the baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, or lungs 
• Extensive bleeding, oxygen deprivation, or other complications during labor and delivery 
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• A severe newborn infection 

What Are the Mortality Rates for Cerebral Palsy? 

Cerebral palsy is associated with a decreased life expectancy, but there is a substantial variation in the data. Causes of death include complications of cerebral palsy, as well as comorbidities (other conditions that can affect a person who has cerebral palsy).

Common comorbidities with cerebral palsy include:

• Heart disease
• Metabolic diseases
• Diabetes
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Digestive issues
• Dementia

These conditions increase the risk of illness and early death for people who have cerebral palsy.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., both for adults who have cerebral palsy and for adults who do not have cerebral palsy.

For people who have cerebral palsy, the likelihood of death from a preventable respiratory cause, such as pneumonia (lung inflammation often caused by infection) or another respiratory infection, is higher than it is for people who do not have cerebral palsy.

Screening and Early Detection 

Early detection of cerebral palsy is important because medical or surgical interventions can improve outcomes. 

There is no single screening test or diagnostic test that confirms a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. A standard newborn physical examination will usually detect signs of cerebral palsy.

Signs include:

• Diminished muscle tone or muscle spasticity
• Decreased voluntary control of one or more limbs
• Not looking at people or objects as expected for age
• Not responding to sounds as expected for age
• Less alert than expected for age
• Weak swallowing, difficulty eating
• Weak crying or excessive crying
• Struggling to breathe
• Delay in sitting up, crawling, or walking

The definitive diagnosis is made based on the child’s physical examination, usually along with brain imaging tests. 

Summary 

Cerebral palsy is a neurological impairment that occurs due to brain damage before or shortly after birth. It can cause lifelong physical and learning disabilities, ranging from mild to severe. Supportive care with physical interventions and learning assistance can help optimize learning and self-care for children and adults with cerebral palsy.