Objectives: Cerebral Palsy (CP) – an umbrella term covering non-progressive but often changing motor impairment syndromes – is traditionally regarded as a childhood disorder, though as a chronic condition it clearly affects adults as well. To improve our understanding of the natural history and the impact of early interventions it is essential to look at long-term outcomes. Objective: To describe the long-term medical, functional, educational and psychosocial outcome of people with CP.
Methods: A prospective cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted on 4309 children, among them a cohort of 203 people with CP, diagnosed and treated in the Child Development Center in Tel Aviv (1975–1994). Out of 203 people with CP, 163 (80%) participated in the study. Age range was 8–30 years, mean age 18.9y, median 19y.
Results: Medical outcome evaluated the various disabilities, use of medical services and medication. Functional outcome described the level of motor disability and function in activities of daily living. Educational outcome data showed level and years of schooling. The current employment status was investigated. Achievement of drivers license and recruitment to the Israeli army gives additional information about active integration into society. To evaluate the psychosocial functioning, different leisure activities, level of interpersonal contact and well being were screened.
Conclusion: The data of this survey provides us with a basic understanding of long-term outcome in the CP population, enabling us to reflect about the natural history and the later impact of early interventions.
