Cerebral palsy in Australia: birth prevalence, 1995–2016, and differences by residential remoteness: a population-based register study

Objective

To examine recent changes in the birth prevalence of cerebral palsy in Australia; to examine the functional mobility of children with cerebral palsy by residential remoteness.

Study design

Population-based register study; analysis of Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR) data.

Setting, participants

Children with cerebral palsy born in Australia, 1995–2016, and included in the ACPR at the time of the most recent state/territory data provision (31 July 2022).

Main outcome measures

Change in birth prevalence of cerebral palsy, of cerebral palsy acquired pre- or perinatally (in utero to day 28 after birth), both overall and by gestational age group (less than 28, 28–31, 32–36, 37 or more weeks), and of cerebral palsy acquired post-neonatally (day 29 to two years of age); gross motor function classification by residential remoteness.

Results

Data for 10 855 children with cerebral palsy born during 1995–2016 were available, 6258 of whom were boys (57.7%). The birth prevalence of cerebral palsy in the three states with complete case ascertainment (South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia) declined from 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–2.4) cases per 1000 live births in 1995–1996 to 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3–1.7) cases per 1000 live births in 2015–2016. The birth prevalence of pre- or perinatally acquired cerebral palsy declined from 2.0 (95% CI, 1.7–2.3) to 1.4 (95% CI, 1.2–1.6) cases per 1000 live births; statistically significant declines were noted for all gestational ages except 32–36 weeks. The decline in birth prevalence of post-neonatally acquired cerebral palsy, from 0.15 (95% CI, 0.11–0.21) to 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05–0.12) cases per 1000 live births, was not statistically significant. Overall, 3.4% of children with cerebral palsy (307 children) lived in remote or very remote areas, a larger proportion than for all Australians (2.0%); the proportion of children in these areas who required wheelchairs for mobility was larger (31.3%) than that of children with cerebral palsy in major cities or regional areas (each 26.1%).

Conclusions

The birth prevalence of cerebral palsy declined markedly in Australia during 1995–2016, reflecting the effects of advances in maternal and perinatal care. Our findings highlight the need to provide equitable, culturally safe access to antenatal services for women, and to health and disability services for people with cerebral palsy, across Australia.