Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy

How Cerebral Palsy is Diagnosed?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy become apparent over time and that’s why, in most cases, the diagnosis is made after few months or a year after the birth of the child.

Besides, if the child has mild symptoms, diagnosis is delayed longer. When you finally approach a pediatrician, they check your child’s medical history, conduct a medical examination, and observe their growth and development.

The pediatrician then advises you to go to a neurologist and child development specialist to better understand your child’s condition.

The tests these specialists will conduct include:

• MRI.
• Cranial Ultrasound (this test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce brain images).
• Electroencephalogram (done when your child is suspected to have a seizure).
• Skin, urine, and blood tests to check genetic and metabolic conditions.
• Additional tests can be conducted to check hearing, vision, speech, intellect development, etc.

Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy

As a parent, you need to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of CP, so that you can approach a healthcare provider as early as possible if you see signs of this condition.

Depending on its different types and levels of disability, CP symptoms and signs vary. A major sign is a delay in motor milestones like rolling over or walking.

Other possible signs include difficulty with muscle control or coordination. It’s important to remember that some children without CP may show similar signs. here are the signs as per the baby’s age:

Babies younger than 6 months

Babies younger than 6 show the following signs if they have cerebral palsy:

1. Lack of muscle tone in the baby
2. The baby cannot be lifted easily as there is a lack of proper muscle support.
3. The baby feels muscular spasms and stiffness.
4. There is a lack of muscle control, proper posture, and well-defined reflexes.
5. The baby has difficulty in feeding and swallowing.
6. The baby likes to use only one side of their body.

The secondary signs of cerebral palsy in newborns are:

1. Constipation
2. Airway obstruction
3. Stunted growth
4. Sleep difficulties
5. Oral health issues
6. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD, a condition, that happens when stomach acid moves back into the tube linking your mouth and stomach (esophagus) repeatedly.)

Babies older than 6 months

Here are some signs that babies older than 6 months show:

1. Can’t roll over in any direction
2. Difficulty bringing hands to mouth
3. Struggles to bring hands together
4. Reaches out with only one hand while keeping the other in a fist

Babies older than 10 months

Some signs that babies older than 10 months show are:

1. Crawl unevenly, using one hand and leg to push while dragging the other hand and leg
2. Move around by scooting on your buttocks or hopping on your knees instead of crawling on all fours
3. Unable to stand even with support

If you see some of these symptoms in your baby, you should approach your pediatrician without failing. Only a professional can find out whether the baby has CP after thorough tests and diagnostic procedures. Besides, diagnosis of CP is important for your baby’s well-being.

Common Diagnostic Tests

There are some common diagnostic tests or cerebral palsy diagnostic process which are as follows:-

Brain scans

Brain-imaging tests can show where the brain is damaged or not growing right. These tests might include:

MRI

An MRI creates detailed 3D or cross-sectional pictures of the brain using radio waves and magnets. It’s painless but noisy and can take up to an hour. Your child might need a sedative or light anesthesia before the test.

Cranial Ultrasound

Cranial ultrasound can be done for infants. A cranial ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create brain images. While not detailed, it’s quick and can offer an important initial brain assessment.

Laboratory tests

Screen for genetic or metabolic conditions using blood, urine, or skin samples.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

If your child might have seizures, an EEG can check. It involves attaching electrodes to their scalp to record brain activity. Epilepsy often shows changes in brain wave patterns during this test.

Additional Tests

Specialists may conduct tests for vision, hearing, speech, intellect, development, movement, and other medical conditions if cerebral palsy is diagnosed.

Developmental Assessment and Genetic Testing

When to Consult a Pediatric Neurologist

You need to contact a pediatrician or pediatric neurologist and get a proper diagnosis if your child has any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Also, if the child has issues with swelling, eye muscle imbalance, poor coordination, and other developmental issues, you should immediately approach a healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):