School Readiness: Long-term neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation outcomes in children at risk of cerebral palsy

Abstract

In Australia, Cerebral Palsy is the most common childhood physical disability (1 in 700) resulting in a lifelong complex chronic disability. Historically CP was not confirmed until the second year of life, and as a result early neuroprotection and early intervention were not always provided. In the past 4 years our Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network, has implemented early detection so that at risk infants have been recruited by equal or less than 6 months corrected age into Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) of Neuroprotectants and early Neurorehabilitation to determine if these interventions improve motor and cognitive outcomes at 2 years corrected age (CA) This study enables us to undertake longer term follow-up of school readiness at 4 years to 6 years 3 months CA (prior to commencing school) which is unknown.