International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 28, 949-954, Copyright © 1999 by International Epidemiological Association
JM Liu, S Li, Q Lin and Z Li
BACKGROUND: A population-based study on the prevalence of cerebral palsy
has not been previously carried out in China. The purpose of the present
paper was to determine the overall and birthweight-specific prevalence of
cerebral palsy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of cerebral palsy was
carried out among 388192 children aged <7 years in seven cities of
Jiangsu province in China from May to July 1997. Information about
birthweight was obtained from routine health care records. Doctors from
township and city hospitals examined all eligible children and doctors at
city level finally diagnosed all cases. All the doctors involved had taken
part in a training programme held by Beijing Medical University in April
1997. RESULTS: The total prevalence of cerebral palsy was 1.6 per 1000
children and the birthweight-adjusted prevalence 2.8 per 1000 children
(using Australia's neonatal survivors 1994 as a standard population). The
overall neonatal mortality rate was 6.8 per 1000 live births, being highest
(581.1 per 1000) in the 1000- 1499 g birthweight group. The
birthweight-specific cerebral palsy prevalence ranged from 0.8 per 1000
children in children weighing 3750- 3999 g to 67.3 in children weighing
1500-1749 g. Children weighing 3500- 3999 g at birth were at the lowest
risk of cerebral palsy. In a given low birthweight group the prevalence of
cerebral palsy in China was higher than that in developed countries even
though this study was unable to include those who died at risk of, or with
cerebral palsy. However, the prevalence of cerebral palsy at normal
birthweight was almost the same as that in developed countries. In all,
about 2% of all children were of low birthweight (<2500 g), with those
weighing <1500 g accounting for about 0.02%. Children weighing <2500
g at birth contributed 24% of all cerebral palsy cases with 99% in the
group 1500- 2499 g. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cerebral palsy for
children aged <7 years is 1.6 per 1000 children. It is estimated that
there are 310000 children with cerebral palsy in China and as the survival
of low birthweight infants improves the prevalence of cerebral palsy will
rise. Survival of low birthweight infants is lower in China than in
developed countries and our findings suggest the survival quality of these
Chinese children needs to be improved and that intrapartum and neonatal
antecedents might play an important role in the aetiology of cerebral palsy
compared to developed countries.
ARTICLES
Prevalence of cerebral palsy in China
National Centre for Maternal and Infant Health, Beijing Medical University, China. Liujm@ncmih.bjmu.edu.cn
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