Cerebral palsy characteristics and genetic etiology in 9,756 patients from US CPRN sitesStudy describes movement and genetic findings in thousands of cerebral palsy patients

medRxiv Published April 18, 2026 Study authors: Aravamuthan, B. R.; Bailes, A. F.; Baird, M.; Bjornson, K.; Bowen, I.; Bowman, A.; Boyer, E.; Geline… DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Note that race and gestational age associate with GMFCS level and genetic etiology in this CP cohort.

This cohort study included 9,756 children and adults with clinician-confirmed cerebral palsy from 22 CPRN sites in the United States. The population was predominantly White (73.0%), male (57.3%), non-Hispanic (87.8%), and younger than 18 years (73.7%).

Regarding clinical characteristics, most participants were classified as GMFCS levels I-III (55.6%). A majority were born preterm (52.8%), had spasticity (83.8%), and had quadriplegia (41.9%). Additionally, 12.2% were identified as having a genetic etiology.

Logistic regression was used to determine associations, revealing that tone and movement types, CP distribution, and gestational age were significantly associated with both GMFCS level and genetic etiology (p<0.001). Compared to White individuals, Black individuals were more likely to have greater gross motor impairment (p<0.001). No adverse events or discontinuations were reported as safety data were not reported.

The study notes that contemporary US epidemiologic data remains limited. These findings are relevant for informing prognostication, quality improvement efforts, and targeted genetic testing strategies, but causality cannot be inferred from these observational associations.

This large study looked at people with clinician-confirmed cerebral palsy from 22 sites in the United States. The group included 9,756 participants, mostly children under 18. Most were White, male, and non-Hispanic. The researchers examined how different physical traits and birth history related to motor function levels and genetic causes.

The results showed that 55.6% of participants had motor function levels I through III. Over half were born preterm, and most had spasticity. About 42% had quadriplegia. Additionally, 12.2% of the group had a genetic cause identified. The study used statistical methods to find links between physical traits and these outcomes.

Importantly, the researchers noted that contemporary data on cerebral palsy in the US remains limited. While the findings can help guide prognosis and testing strategies, they describe associations rather than proving cause and effect. Readers should view these results as useful information for understanding the condition, not as proof that one factor directly causes another.

What this means for you:

Study links physical traits and birth history to motor function and genetics in 9,756 cerebral palsy patients.

Study Details

Study typeCohort

EvidenceLevel 3

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Objective Cerebral palsy (CP) affects approximately 1 million Americans and 18 million individuals worldwide, yet contemporary US epidemiologic data remains limited. We aimed to use Cerebral Palsy Research Network (CPRN) clinical registry to describe demographics and clinical characteristics of individuals with CP across the US and determine associations with gross motor function and genetic etiology. Methods Registry subjects were included if they had clinician-confirmed CP and prospectively entered data for Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level, gestational age, genetic etiology, CP distribution, and tone/movement types. Logistic regression was used to determine which of these variables plus race, sex, ethnicity, and age were associated with GMFCS level and genetic etiology. Results A total of 9,756 children and adults with CP from 22 CPRN sites met inclusion criteria. Participants were predominantly White (73.0%), male (57.3%), non-Hispanic (87.8%), and younger than 18 years (73.7%). Most were classified as GMFCS levels I-III (55.6%), born preterm (52.8%), had spasticity (83.8%), and had quadriplegia (41.9%); 12.2% were identified as having a genetic etiology. Tone/movement types, CP distribution, and gestational age were significantly associated with both GMFCS level and genetic etiology (p<0.001). Compared to White individuals, Black individuals were more likely to have greater gross motor impairment (p<0.001). Conclusion In this large US cohort, clinical and demographic factors, including race, were associated with gross motor function and genetic etiology in CP. These findings highlight persistent disparities and demonstrate the value of a national clinical registry for informing prognostication, quality improvement efforts, and targeted genetic testing strategies.

Cerebral palsy characteristics and genetic etiology in 9,756 patients from US CPRN sitesStudy describes movement and genetic findings in thousands of cerebral palsy patients

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Cerebral palsy characteristics and genetic etiology in 9,756 patients from US CPRN sitesStudy describes movement and genetic findings in thousands of cerebral palsy patients

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