Epidemiology of Cerebral Palsy in Northeastern Switzerland

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2018 Apr;30(2):155-160. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000491.

Abstract

Purpose: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability of childhood. Less is known about its prevalence and associated factors in Switzerland, so we aimed to fill this knowledge gap in one Swiss canton, evaluating the feasibility to build up a CP registry.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was undertaken. Children born during 1995 and 2009 in the canton of Saint Gallen diagnosed with CP were eligible for inclusion.

Results: A total of 140 patients formed the study cohort. The prevalence of CP was 0.19%, with 85% of children affected by spastic CP.

Conclusions: The results of the present study were comparable with data of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe network. Moreover, this pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and usefulness of creating a registry of children affected by CP.

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Palsy / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Switzerland / epidemiology