Sandra Julsen Hollung1, Torstein Vik2, Stian Lydersen3, Inger Johanne Bakken4, Guro L Andersen5. 1. The Cerebral Palsy Registry of Norway, Vestfold Hospital Trust, PB 2168, 3103 Tønsberg, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: sandra.julsen.hollung@siv.no. 2. Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. 3. Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, PB 8905, MTFS, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. 4. Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PB 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo, Norway. 5. The Cerebral Palsy Registry of Norway, Vestfold Hospital Trust, PB 2168, 3103 Tønsberg, Norway; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to explore if the prevalence and clinical characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP), concomitant with perinatal health indicators in the general population, remained unchanged for children born in Norway between 1999 and 2010. METHODS: This national multi-register cohort study included 711 174 children recorded in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Among these, 707 916 were born alive, and 1664 had a validated diagnosis of CP recorded in the Cerebral Palsy Registry of Norway and/or the Norwegian Patient Registry. Prevalence per 1000 live births as a function of birth year was analyzed using logistic regression with fractional polynomials to allow for non-linear trends. Chi-square statistics were used to estimate trends in proportions of clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of CP in Norway decreased from 2.62 per 1000 live births in 1999 to 1.89 in 2010. The reduction was most evident among children with bilateral CP, in particular those with diplegia. During the study period, the proportions of children with severe motor impairments, epilepsy, intellectual impairment and reduced speech also decreased. At the same time, perinatal mortality has decreased in Norway, along with the proportion of women with preeclampsia, children born preterm or as a multiple. CONCLUSION: We observed a significant decrease in the prevalence and severity of CP subtypes and associated impairments among children with CP in Norway. This coincided with improvements in perinatal health indicators in the general population. These improvements are most likely explained by advancements in obstetric and neonatal care.
BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to explore if the prevalence and clinical characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP), concomitant with perinatal health indicators in the general population, remained unchanged for children born in Norway between 1999 and 2010. METHODS: This national multi-register cohort study included 711 174 children recorded in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Among these, 707 916 were born alive, and 1664 had a validated diagnosis of CP recorded in the Cerebral Palsy Registry of Norway and/or the Norwegian Patient Registry. Prevalence per 1000 live births as a function of birth year was analyzed using logistic regression with fractional polynomials to allow for non-linear trends. Chi-square statistics were used to estimate trends in proportions of clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of CP in Norway decreased from 2.62 per 1000 live births in 1999 to 1.89 in 2010. The reduction was most evident among children with bilateral CP, in particular those with diplegia. During the study period, the proportions of children with severe motor impairments, epilepsy, intellectual impairment and reduced speech also decreased. At the same time, perinatal mortality has decreased in Norway, along with the proportion of women with preeclampsia, children born preterm or as a multiple. CONCLUSION: We observed a significant decrease in the prevalence and severity of CP subtypes and associated impairments among children with CP in Norway. This coincided with improvements in perinatal health indicators in the general population. These improvements are most likely explained by advancements in obstetric and neonatal care.
Authors: Catherine Arnaud; Virginie Ehlinger; Malika Delobel-Ayoub; Dana Klapouszczak; Oliver Perra; Owen Hensey; David Neubauer; Katalin Hollódy; Daniel Virella; Gija Rackauskaite; Andra Greitane; Kate Himmelmann; Els Ortibus; Ivana Dakovic; Guro L Andersen; Antigone Papavasiliou; Elodie Sellier; Mary Jane Platt; Inge Krägeloh-Mann Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2021-05-20 Impact factor: 4.003