Research Activities for Cerebral Palsy

Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study
   The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study (MADDS) was the first US, population-based epidemiologic study of the prevalence of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, vision impairment, and epilepsy among school-aged children.

Follow-Up Study of Children with Developmental Disabilities
   The Follow-Up Study involves a tracing and interviewing a group of young adults (including those with cerebral palsy) who, as 10-year-old children, were studied in the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study. The purpose of the present effort is to assess the mortality experience and causes of death within the case group from age 10 to age 20 and to characterize the status of the survivors with respect to current health status, living arrangements, socialization, employment, quality of life, service utilization, and independence.

The Infant Development Study
   The Infant Development Study (IDS) is a case-control study to investigate the apparent protective effect of prenatal magnesium sulfate exposure on the risk for cerebral palsy among low birthweight children.

The Children's Longitudinal Development Study (CHILD Study)
   The Children's Longitudinal Development Study (CHILD Study) is an ongoing case-control study in which detailed information will be obtained on pre- and perinatal medical conditions and suspected risk factors for select disabilities among children identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP).