Peer-reviewed article

The Panorama of Cerebral Palsy in Sweden Part XIV Shows Further Decrease in Prevalence and Severity in the Birth-Years 2015-2018.

Himmelmann K, Påhlman M · 29 May 2026

Abstract

Aim To describe prevalence, background and gross motor function of cerebral palsy (CP) in western Sweden 2015-2018 and compare to birth-years 1999-2014. Methods Population-based study covering 108 963 live births in 2015-2018. Birth characteristics, neuroimaging findings and motor outcome were analysed and prevalence calculated and compared to previous cohorts. Results CP was diagnosed in 194 children, 180 had pre- or peri/neonatal background. Crude prevalence was 1.78 per 1000 live births compared to 2.18 in 1999-2002. Gestational age-specific prevalence for < 28 gestational weeks was 65.9 per 1000 live births, 41.4 for 28-31 weeks, 5.6 for 32-36 weeks and 1.06 per 1000 for > 36 weeks of gestation. Hemiplegia was found in 51.7%, diplegia in 30.6% and tetraplegia in 5.6%, dyskinetic CP accounted for 10.6% and ataxia for 1.7%. Neuroimaging showed maldevelopments in 7%, white matter lesions in 54% and grey matter lesions in 29%. Motor function had improved since the birth years 1999-2002, both in term and in extremely preterm children. Prenatal aetiology was considered in 34.4% and peri/neonatal in 49.4%. Aetiological period remained unclassified in 16.1%. Conclusion The prevalence of CP is declining. Gross motor function has improved over time. White matter lesions are increasingly common.