Disabilities and trends over time in a French county, 1980-91.

AIM To describe trends over time and types of disability for children born in a French county from 1980 to 1991. METHODS Data were collected from medical records of a morbidity register; disabled children with at least one severe deficiency have been included. Prevalence rates are given per 1000 resident children, over four three-year periods. RESULTS Overall, 7.73 per 1000 children (that is, 1360 children), had a severe childhood disability, and the prevalence rate had increased significantly since 1980. This increase was mainly owing to an increase in cerebral palsy and psychiatric disorder prevalence rates. CONCLUSION Future research aimed to explain these trends over time can be based on such data. The present knowledge is useful for planning purposes.