Adults living with cerebral palsy cannot die from the condition, yet it is commonly listed as an underlying cause of death on records for adults with cerebral palsy. Research from the University of Michigan Health System suggests that mislabeling the cause of death for patients with cerebral palsy can set back appropriate care for individuals with cerebral palsy.

When there is no primary cause and no autopsy performed, cerebral palsy is commonly written as the underlying cause of death. Known as diagnostic overshadowing, the incorrect listing not only does a disservice to the population of individuals living with the condition, but it continues a false narrative that patients can die from the condition alone.

“For someone who is trying to help patients with cerebral palsy live long and healthy lives, listing their death as cerebral palsy is a problem because it doesn’t uncover the actual cause of mortality,” said Mark Peterson, Ph.D., M.S., FACSM, associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Michigan Medicine. “It actually reduces our understanding of the natural history of the condition.”

In the research study “Underlying Causes of Death among Adults with Cerebral Palsy” published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, Peterson and colleagues found that more than 25,000 adult deaths in the United States between 1999 and 2019 had listed cerebral palsy as the underlying cause of death. Many of them listed respiratory illness as the secondary cause.

Respiratory illness is a common cause of death for patients with cerebral palsy since they are prone to pneumonia, respiratory failure, and aspiration. Other common causes can include cardiovascular issues and organ failures.

Ideally, the primary cause of death listed would be the illness or condition the individual had when they died if such information is available. Then, cerebral palsy would be listed as a secondary cause or noted in the record. This method would give researchers and health care providers a better base to start understanding how different conditions and illnesses interact with cerebral palsy across a patient’s lifespan.

This information can then be used in a preventative capacity or to treat patients living with cerebral palsy that may experience these illnesses and conditions in the future. Not properly listing the cause of death leads to a lack of understanding about the condition since it is unknown what the individual truly died of.

“A correct cause would inform public health and clinical coordination of care. This information could give insight to providers and create a better understanding of how to address these underlying causes in patients with cerebral palsy,” Peterson said.

Cerebral palsy has historically been viewed as a pediatric condition since it arises in infancy. This means that most patients with cerebral palsy are limited to their pediatric care team and can struggle to receive appropriate care as an adult. Today, there are more adults in the United States living with cerebral palsy than children.

Peterson recommends that patients with cerebral palsy find primary care providers that can treat more than just symptoms of cerebral palsy.

“Many patients with cerebral palsy are more susceptible to preventable chronic conditions.” Peterson said. “It is important to have a primary care provider that can understand your cerebral palsy and any other conditions that may arise with it.”

Peterson stated that he hopes this research becomes an educational tool for those who study and care for patients with cerebral palsy, as well as clinicians and medical examiners that are responsible for listing underlying causes of death.

“The more education there is about how different conditions interact with cerebral palsy, the more work that can be done to prevent or address these conditions in patients.”