Life expectancy for people with cerebral palsy (CP) can be difficult to predict, as it depends on the nature and severity of the disability. People with mild to moderate cerebral palsy generally have the same life expectancy as the general population. In cases of severe disability, life expectancy is usually shortened.
History
An analysis published in a 1994 issue of the "British Medical Journal" showed that children born with CP have a longer life expectancy than previously thought because of better data collection and changes in life expectancy trends.
Potential
Children with CP who were born prematurely at a low birth weight have a better prognosis than those who spent a normal amount of time in the womb but were underweight at birth.
Considerations
The degree of cognitive, motor and visual disability can affect individual life expectancy. Less severe disabilities mean a longer life expectancy.
Time Frame
CP is not a progressive disease, but the condition can worsen with age because one affected area may cause problems in another part of the body. In some cases, this may affect the aging process.
Exceptions
Compared to the general population, people in their twenties and thirties with CP experience more deaths due to respiratory diseases, and people in their forties and fifties experience more deaths due to nervous system disorders.
