How is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

There are a number of symptoms that can indicate cerebral palsy. When a child has brain damage, there are different indications. Brain damage will affect your child’s alertness as well as their irritability. Many babies become abnormally fussy and cry in very high-pitched tones. Many times, children favor one side of their body over the other and arms and legs may tremble.
 
Diagnosis may be difficult, but signs of brain injury will appear within the first six months of the baby’s life. Low muscle tone and posture can indicate brain damage as well. Cerebral palsy is a form of brain damage and after six months, it’s apparent whether the child is adapting to life. Cerebral palsy children are slower to develop common milestones, such as rolling over, crawling, sitting up and walking.
 
Cerebral palsy isn’t diagnosed overnight and takes a full examination from your physician. Your child’s motor skills, muscle tone, and movements will be examined using a number of different specialized tests. Reflex tests are used to test responses against specific cues. Hand preference tests can be used to test which hand the baby prefers. Physicians will hold an object in front and to the side of the infant to find which hand they prefer to use. During the first year of life, infants don’t usually show hand preference, and those with cerebral palsy may develop a preference much earlier.
 
CTs, MRIs and EEGs are also used during diagnosis of cerebral palsy. A CT scan can help determine if the brain is underdeveloped and if so, in which particular areas. MRIs can identify brain disorders by giving a better picture of structures and abnormalities. An EEG is used if a doctor suspects a disorder. This test can record patterns of brain activity.
 
Doctors will also go though the mother’s full pregnancy as well as the labor and delivery to be sure proper medical care was provided. Many times cerebral palsy lawyers can help the mother if their specific case was a case of medical malpractice.
 
Be aware of slow development and abnormal muscle tone in your child. Unusual posture and favoring one side of the body over another can be key indication of possible brain damage and cerebral palsy. To discuss legal options of a medical malpractice case, talk with a cerebral palsy lawyer.