Cerebral palsy statistics also show that there has been a slight rise in the number of children with spastic CP in recent years, despite advances in medical care.  This increase is attributed to the higher proportion of premature and very low birth weight babies surviving as these are known risk factors.  Birth complications are associated with only around 10% of cases.

 

Cerebral palsy statistics show that the most common type is spastic CP.  This affects 70 – 80% of children with cerebal palsy.  Athetoid of dyskinetic occurs in 10 – 20% of patients.  Ataxic is the least prevalent form, affecting 5 - 10%.  A child may show symptoms of a mixed form, with signs of more than one type of the condition.  Treatment depends on the individual but usually involves physiotherapy.