An epidemiological study of cerebral palsy in Western Australia, 1956-1975. I: Changes in total incidence of cerebral palsy and associated factors.

Abstract

Patterns in the incidence of cerebral palsy are described over a 20-year period in Western Australia. The incidence rose to a peak between 1966 and 1970, then fell again. This pattern was particularly marked in the spastic syndromes and was seen in both sexes, in each maternal age and parity group, in each IQ group, in both multiple and single births, and in infants born in metropolitan (but not rural) areas. Improvement was more marked in heavier than in lighter infants. Since 1968 the male rate has fallen more quickly than that for females. The risk of cerebral palsy with high maternal age declined, but it remained high in relation to high parities. There were marked reductions in the prop..