The panorama of cerebral palsy in Sweden part XIII shows declining prevalence in birth‐years 2011–2014

AIM: To describe epidemiology and characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP) in western Sweden 1954–2014. METHODS: Population‐based study covering 105 935 live births in the area in 2011–2014. Birth characteristics, neuroimaging findings and outcome were analysed and prevalence calculated. Non‐parametric methods were used for group comparisons. RESULTS: CP was diagnosed in 192 children. Crude prevalence had decreased to 1.81 per 1000 live births (p = 0.0067). Gestational age‐specific prevalence for <28 gestational weeks was 74.8 per 1000 live births, 46.6 for 28–31 weeks, 5.8 for 32–36 weeks and 1.1 per 1000 for >36 weeks of gestation. Hemiplegia, found in 36.2%, had declined (p = 0.03). Diplegia was found in 36.2% and tetraplegia 5.3%. Dyskinetic CP accounted for 18.6% and ataxia for 3.7%. Neuroimaging revealed maldevelopments in 14%, white matter lesions in 44%, cortical/subcortical lesions in 13% and basal ganglia lesions in 17%. Prenatal aetiology was considered in 34%, peri‐ or neonatal in 48%, while in 18% aetiological period remained unclassified. Motor outcome in children who needed neonatal care had improved (p = 0.04). Motor function in dyskinetic CP had improved compared to previous cohorts (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CP has declined, mainly in term‐born and in hemiplegia, and motor severity has changed compared to previous cohorts.