Cerebral Palsy Statistics
As of right now, experts estimate that 500,000 children under the age of 18 have cerebral palsy. That should highlight the extent of the problem. In addition, three children out of every 1,000 will be born with this birth injury. In understanding some of the cerebral palsy statistics, you can hopefully have a better understanding of how to best proceed with it.
Looking at the Different Types of CP
You have five main types of cerebral palsy with a different level of incidences for each one. The five different types of CP include:
- Spastic
- Dyskinetic
- Ataxic
- Hypotonic
- Mixed
When it comes to the type that has the most number of cases, spastic CP is the most common with it making up 76.9 percent of cases. Meanwhile, 2.8 percent of children out of every 1,000 will be born with this birth disorder. This type of CP will often make even some of the simpler tasks more difficult. The second most common type that children can get is known as dyskinetic. This type makes up 2.6 percent of cases, and the child might have twisting or abrupt movements with this type of CP.
Next, you have ataxic CP. Only 2.4 percent of children will get this type of CP, but they have characterized this type of CP as children having stiff muscles, and their balance, depth perception and coordination could all suffer as a result. This type has become the least diagnosed type. Next, you have the hypotonic CP, and this one has an estimated 2.6 percent of children coming up with these cases. They characterize this type as children having low muscle tone, and it leaves your child’s muscles feeling too relaxed. Normally, there is some resistance in the muscles even when relaxed, but someone with this condition will have muscles that are floppy. Making everyday movements could be exhausting and difficult. Finally, the last type that you have is known as mixed CP. This one makes up 15.4 percent of cases, and with this type, you will have a mix of different types of CP.
How Should One Interpret Studies?
You should understand how while cerebral palsy statistics can provide you with valuable insights into different things, they come with limitations. For example, researchers might sometimes make choices that will have an impact on the data. In addition, it depends on the geography of where they chose it. In addition, you have certain cases where they don’t get recorded.
More often, boys will receive a diagnosis for CP than what girls will. Researchers still haven’t learned the reasons for this disparity between boy babies getting CP more often than girl babies. In addition, boy babies born prematurely have a higher likelihood that they will develop this condition. Part of this has to do with the child having a lower birth weight. That’s one of the reasons that doctors will watch children born prematurely even more closely than other children because of how they have an increased risk.