Changing pattern of cerebral palsy in the southwest region of Finland.

The prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) increased significantly from 1968-72 to 1978-82 in the region of the University Central Hospital of Turku, Finland, from 1.6/1,000 live births during the first five-year period to 2.5/1,000 live births during the second. The increase was due to an increase of CP in low birthweight children (p = 0.0002). The distribution of CP patterns did not change significantly. During the second period the diagnosis was made earlier in all groups (except that of spastic tetraplegia), though it reached statistical significance only in the hemi- and diplegic groups. While the perinatal mortality rate declined greatly during this period (especially in low birthweight groups), the increase in CP prevalence was due to increased survival rather than to a real change in prevalence. As a net gain, the decline resulted in an increased absolute figure in non-CP children, in spite of the rising prevalence of the disease.