CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network is restarting its efforts to measure the prevalence of cerebral palsy among children. (iStock)
For the first time in more than a decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s network that tracks the prevalence of autism is expanding to include another developmental disability.
The agency said five of its Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network sites will begin monitoring the incidence of cerebral palsy in their communities, in addition to autism.
The prevalence of cerebral palsy will be determined through a record review much like that already used to monitor autism, CDC officials said. Sites will have a one-year pilot period to establish a case definition, methodology and conduct other preliminary work before beginning official data collection in 2024.
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“The new monitoring activities will address important data gaps on the prevalence of cerebral palsy among children in the United States, as well as disparities in prevalence and early identification,” said Matt Maenner, chief of the Child Development Branch. and disability from the CDC’s National Center for Diseases. Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network previously tracked cerebral palsy in children as young as 8, but data on the condition was last collected in 2010. Since then, there hasn’t been enough money available to continue monitoring the condition, they said. the functionaries.
Now, there is dedicated funding for cerebral palsy surveillance through 2026, and sites in Minnesota, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee and Georgia are expected to collect data on 4- and 8-year-olds.
“Since we last published data, declines in the prevalence of cerebral palsy have been reported in other high-income countries, but we have no idea whether we will see the same in the United States, given the differences in populations, health systems of care and disparities in risk factors such as preterm birth,” Maenner said.
Currently, the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network has 16 sites that track the prevalence of autism. All sites review records for 4- and 8-year-olds, and nine sites also review 16-year-olds.
The most recent findings from the monitoring effort were published earlier this year and indicate that 1 in 36 children has autism. That estimate is based on data from 8-year-olds in 2020.
The researchers behind the new cerebral palsy surveillance say they are hopeful that better information about how common the condition is will ultimately lead to earlier diagnosis so children can access treatment sooner, which leads to better results and greater availability of services.
“Increased awareness will be a major benefit, because right now people don’t often think about cerebral palsy and early intervention is really important,” said Deborah Bilder, a researcher at the University of Utah who is part of the new effort. “By measuring prevalence and doing lots of outreach, we will be able to raise awareness about cerebral palsy to improve early recognition of cerebral palsy and access to treatment.”
The next data release from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network is expected in 2025, the CDC said.
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