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Background Respiratory disease is a leading cause of hospitalisations in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Over 40% of individuals with CP are born preterm; however, the relationship between prematurity, CP and respiratory disease is unknown.Objectives To establish the impact of gestational age (GA) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) on respiratory hospitalisations in children with CP.Study design A 30-year (1986–2015) retrospective data linkage cohort study in children with CP.Results A total of 1915 individuals with CP (mean age 15 years and 5 months, 57% male) recorded 5566 respiratory admissions. Higher rates of respiratory admissions were seen in those born preterm (<37 weeks). Preterm infants with CP and BPD had 4.4 (incidence rate ratio 95% CI 3.3 to 6.0) times more respiratory-related admissions (after controlling for age, CP severity, epilepsy, speech impairment and gastrostomy) compared with individuals with CP born at term. Preterm infants with CP and BPD had respiratory-related hospitalisations at a younger age (median: 2 years 4 months vs term birth 20 years, p<0.001).Conclusion Preterm birth and BPD are risk factors for earlier and higher rates of respiratory-related admissions in individuals with CP. Perinatal and neonatal events should be considered when assessing respiratory health in CP.