ETIOLOGIC CLASSIFICATION OF CEREBRAL-PALSY IN VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS

As part of a longitudinal follow-up program a single case analysis of the history of 53 children with a birthweight of less than 1501 g, who had developed cerebral palsy, was performed. In 17 children (32 %) a definite explanation for the neurological impairment and in another 17 (32 %) at least a possible explanation could be found. In 19 of the 5 3 children (36 %) the history was uneventful and did not offer a causa l event. The common documentation in obstetric and pediatric case file s left the cause of cerebral palsy undetected in one third of the case s.