Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Statistics can be used to summarize or describe a collection of data. If one knows the statistics regarding a certain fact, he or she can judge or take an educated guess as to the probability that something will occur. A statistic like, “a certain disease occurs in X number of births, doesn’t describe a verifiable reality, rather it describes the probability that within a certain number of birth, a particular disease may occur. Statistics become increasingly accurate when tested over a period of time, they appear to describe a realistic evaluation of the facts. But they never become fact. Facts can only be considered as such when they pass the test of always being true. It is in that context that we present some relevant statistics regarding incidents of cerebral palsy.

If you or your child fit into the statistical model, that does not mean that you will bear a child who will have cerebral palsy. Conversely, if statistically none of the risk factors are applicable to you or your child, that doesn’t mean that contracting cerebral palsy is impossible in your case. However if the probability does exist in your case based on the statistics, you and your health care team should be very observant of your baby’s development.

The statistics regarding cerebral palsy are associated with mothers and children alike. What follows are some statistics regarding mothers and fathers who are at a higher risk for giving birth to a cerebral palsy child.

• If the mother is over the age of 40;
• If the mother is below the age of 20;
• If the father is below the age of 20;
• If the parents are African-Americans;
• Blood incompatibility between mother and infant (Rh or ABO);
• If the mother is infected with German measles or other virus early in pregnancy;

The following are statistics regarding children who are at a high risk for cerebral palsy:

• The eldest chilld;
• A child born fifth or later in the family;
• One of a set of twins, especially if one of them dies;
• If the infant has a birth weight of 3.5 lb or lower;
• A premature infant born less than 37 weeks.
• If the central nervous system of the infant is attacked by micro-organisms.

More than one risk factor can be present at the same time, such as a young, Afro-American mother who carried her baby for 34 weeks. Combinations such as these can increase the incidence of cerebral palsy.

Complete Cerebral Palsy Form for full benefits information.