Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
A cerebral palsy diagnosis is made after a series of physical and neurological tests. The condition is typically diagnosed at an early age, which is when symptoms tend to become more obvious. For instance, developmental delays and movement problems are two of the most telling symptoms associated with cerebral palsy and are often recognizable within the first year or two after birth. Parents should always seek medical advice if their child experiences developmental delays or other abnormal signs and symptoms.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is not a single disorder, but rather a group of disorders that affect movement. The condition is caused by damage to the brain, although what causes the damage is often unknown. In some cases, the damage can be caused during the birthing process and may be a result of medical malpractice.
Thousands of infants and children receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis each year, and it is unfortunate that some of those diagnoses could have been prevented with proper medical care.
How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
To make a cerebral palsy diagnosis, a doctor may perform some or all of the following tests:
Reflex tests – For example, the Moro Reflex is normal in infants under six months of age. Infants will exhibit this reflex when startled, throwing their arms out to the side with palms up and thumbs flexed. When this reflex persists past early infancy, it may be a sign of cerebral palsy. Other reflexes that may be tested for a cerebral palsy diagnosis include the plantar and rooting reflexes.
Hand preference test – Healthy children begin to develop a preference for one hand over the other after the age of one, but children with cerebral palsy may display a hand preference earlier. This is often the case in children with a form of hemiplegia, in which one side of the body is stronger than the other.
Computed tomography (CT scan) – A CT scan may be used to take three-dimensional images of the brain, which may signal cerebral palsy if it shows damage or underdevelopment.
Electroencephalography (EEG) – This is a test that may help a doctor identify the presence of seizure disorder, a condition commonly associated with cerebral palsy.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – An MRI scan is another imaging test that provides the doctor with a picture of the brain so that any abnormalities can be identified.
In addition to these or other tests, a cerebral palsy diagnosis will most likely involve a physical exam during which the physician will check for abnormal muscle tone, mobility difficulties, and any developmental delays. The child’s medical history will also be taken into consideration.
After a Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
If your child received a cerebral palsy diagnosis after a particularly traumatic birth, you should have your case evaluated by an experienced medical malpractice firm. At Burke & Eisner, we have the medical and legal resources to determine whether medical negligence may have contributed to your child’s diagnosis, and we’ll inform you of your legal rights.
Contact us today. We offer free case evaluations.
During the diagnostic process, a doctor is determining whether or not the child has unusual muscle tone, slow developmental skills, abnormal posture, and other early symptoms of cerebral palsy.
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