Health care resource use in preschool children with cerebral palsy

This economic analysis of 222 preschool children with cerebral palsy identified that physiotherapy was the most widely accessed allied health therapy. Almost half of the participants reported one or more hospital admission in a 6-month period.

The average cost to the Australian health system was about AU$24 950 per year per child. The annual cost did not vary as children aged, remaining mostly constant from 18 months to 5 years of age. The main drivers of costs were motor impairments and the presence of other medical conditions. Children with milder motor impairment (GMFCS level I) were associated with much lower costs of as little as AU$7080 per year.

These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and the potential positive economic impact of early interventions that target gross motor function.