Discussion

Two large factors influence prognosis – life expectancy and quality of life. Both these factors are influenced considerably depending upon the degree of impairment, level of socioeconomic status, and access to care.
Children with Cerebral Palsy have a life expectancy that varies with the degree of impairments. Children with the mildest impairments generally can survive to the age of 58 years. Severe and multiple impairments decrease life expectancy (Blair et al., 2019).

According to Fadwa, et al. (2016) the quality-of-life scores in the 76 children and their caregivers studied were low in both children and their caregivers. Here are the factors related to the child’s health and sociodemographic factors of caregivers that influenced quality of life scores

• The degree of physical disability of the child
• Associated co-morbidities
  
• Low socioeconomic status
  
• Lack of basic services (such as consultation from pediatricians, physiotherapy, and assisting devices)

In the recent decade more significant research and resources have become available. For more detailed information about children with cerebral palsy, consult the following resources:

• American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM) https://www.aacpdm.org/events/2024-spring-symposium
• Cool Kids resources - https://www.cebc4cw.org/program/cool-kids-outreach-program/
• Cerebral Palsy information at the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/index.html
  

References

Blair, E., Langdon, K., McIntyre, S. et al. (2019). Survival and mortality in cerebral palsy: observations to the sixth decade from a data linkage study of a total population register and National Death Index. BMC Neurol 19, 111.

Mohammed, F.M., Ali, S.M., Mustafa, M.A. (2016). Quality of life of cerebral palsy patients and their caregivers: A cross-sectional study in a rehabilitation center Khartoum-Sudan (2014 - 2015). J Neurosci Rural Pract. 7(3), 355-61.

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