[Cerebral palsy in the light of old and new research results--in what direction does the pendulum swing?].

Cerebral palsy is reviewed from Little's first description of spastic diplegia in 1843 to the results of the most recent studies. One central question concerns whether prenatal or perinatal causes are the most important for the development of cerebral palsy. Current research indicates that conditions prior to and during pregnancy probably play a more important role than earlier thought. For years it has been the belief that cerebral palsy is caused by mismanagement in the perinatal period. At the same time, it has been suggested that improved perinatal care would reduce the incidence of cerebral palsy. This has not been the case, and many studies indicate that, despite proper perinatal care, the incidence of cerebral palsy is increasing. Much research remains to be done to obtain an overall picture of the etiology of cerebral palsy before we can establish measures to prevent this complex and serious condition.