Risk of hospital-treated injury in children with cerebral palsy: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

AimTo study whether cerebral palsy (CP) increases the risk of hospital-treated injuries in children up to 13 years of age.MethodsA Finnish population-based cohort (n=328 903) of children born during 2001 to 2006 was followed up for hospital-treated injuries until the end of 2014 via linkage of nation-wide registers. The rate of first injury was compared in children with and without CP. The effect of CP type, gender, severe comorbidities (intellectual disability, epilepsy, hearing or visual impairment), and the type of injury was evaluated.ResultsChildren with CP had an increased risk of injury compared with children without CP (unadjusted HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.0 – 1.4, p=0.40). Girls with CP (n = 191) had a higher risk of injury compared with girls without CP (29% vs 22%, HR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.8, p = 0.01). Any comorbidity increased the risk of injury (HR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2, p = 0.015) among children with CP. Children with CP had a higher risk of traumatic brain injury (HR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.4, p = 0.002) than children without CP.ConclusionGirls with CP had the highest risk of hospital-treated injury. Children with CP are particularly prone to traumatic brain injuries.