Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy Calculator – Australia

This table provides an overview of survival rates, life expectancy, and mortality risks for individuals with different severities of CP.

Additional Key Information

1. Survival Improvements:
   • 35% improvement in the probability of survival to 15 years for births in the 2000s compared to the 1970s24.
   • Only 4% improvement for individuals with complex CP24.
2. Mortality Rates:
   • Highest mortality in the first five years of life1.
   • Mortality is 45-62 times higher for children with CP aged 1 to 15 years compared to the general population24.
3. Factors Affecting Survival:
   • Severe/profound intellectual disability is the strongest single predictor of death, followed by severe motor impairment15.
   • Complex CP (severe impairments in multiple domains) significantly reduces life expectancy24.
4. Recent Trends:
   • Since 1990, mortality for those with severe CP in Western Australia has tended to shift from childhood to early adulthood15.
   • Improved survival rates are likely related to a proportional reduction in complex CP within the cohort24.
5. Long-term Survival:
   • More than 80% of individuals with CP have a life expectancy of 58 years or more3.
   • For those with higher disability scores (DISAB 11-12), 50% mortality is reached by 15 years of age5.

This table and additional information provide a comprehensive overview of CP life expectancy in Australia, highlighting the variability based on severity and the improvements observed over recent decades.