An Epidemiological Study of Cerebral Palsy In Western Australia, 1956–1975. III: Postnatal Aetiology

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Abstract
Cases of cerebral palsy which apparently were due to some postnatal event were studied in the Western Australian Cerebral Palsy Register. Of all cases, 11% (89) were thought to be so acquired, a rate of 2.4/10,000 neonatal survivors. Males, particularly < 12 mo. of age, were especially vulnerable. Infections such as meningitis and encephalitis, particularly among aboriginal children, were responsible for > 1/2 the cases, and accidents were responsible for 1/4. Other causes included epileptic fits and cerebrovascular accidents. There was a positive association with parity and neonatal problems and a negative one with birthweight, suggesting that children at risk neonatally are more susceptible to a postnatal brain-damaging event. Preventive programs should include improvement in aboriginal living conditions; legislation for car restraints for infants; and health education for parents on the vulnerability of infants, the importance of immunization and how to recognize early the signs of potentially serious infections.