Cerebral Palsy Linked to Progressive Intellectual Decline in Children
A Swedish population study tracking 264 children with cerebral palsy found that over half experienced slower intellectual development over time, with disability rates climbing from 40% at age 7 to 54% by age 18. The finding underscores the need for repeated cognitive assessments and early intervention, signaling substantial long-term support costs and care planning implications for healthcare systems and families.
Originaltitel: Slower Pace of Intellectual Development Is Common in Children With Cerebral Palsy-A Population-Based Study
Aim To describe the intellectual level and changes during development in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to investigate if there are factors associated with the pace of intellectual development.Method Population-based study of all 264 children (141 boys, 123 girls) with CP born 1999-2006 in the region of V & auml;stra G & ouml;taland. Information was retrieved from the CP Register of western Sweden and all medical records to the age of 18 years. For the 171 children assessed more than once, results from first and last assessments were further compared.Results Intellectual disability became more common with increasing age. Forty percent of the 264 children were diagnosed with intellectual disability at age 7, 50% at age 12% and 54% at age 18. Of the 171 children assessed more than once, 55% showed a lower intellectual level over time. Epilepsy, predominant grey matter brain injury, impaired communication and fine motor function were associated with increased risk of slower pace of intellectual development.Conclusion Intellectual disability as well as slower pace of intellectual development over time are common in children with CP, highlighting the importance of repeated intellectual assessments, especially in children with epilepsy, predominant grey matter brain injury, impaired communication or fine motor function.