Diagnosis making of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed through observational assessment and a few pathological tests. When a child has the following features, cerebral palsy is suspected

• delayed milestones
•  persistence of primitive reflexes
•  pathologic reflexes
•  failure to develop protective reflexes
• initial complaint is failure to meet early developmental milestones
• no evidence of progressive disease
• no loss of milestones acquired previously

Family members (Mostly Grandmothers / Relatives) are the first to notice the problems and help to diagnose. Generally there is Motor delay- variation by more than 50% with Abnormal movements and Poor postural stability

The child has a combination of these associated disorders

• Epilepsy
• Visual deficits
• Drooling
• Hearing Deficits
• Feeding problems
• Poor Cognition

Professionals who deal with cerebral palsy take history from the informant. Generally Pre-natal, Peri-natal, Post-natal incidence are taken care. Then the child is referred for   Investigation like X-rays (Skull / Hips), MRI / CT Scan, Blood Tests, Chromosomal Study. A physical / Occupational therapist is asked for

Physical examination

• Tone
• Spasm, Tightness, Contracture, Deformity
• ROM
• Muscle Strength
• Sensation

Base-line Evaluation

• Physical / Mobility Evaluation
• Fine Motor Evaluation
• Cognition Evaluation
• Communication Evaluation
• Social-Emotional Evaluation
• Activities of Daily Living

CP Symptoms
CP Causes
CP Associated Disorders
CP Types
CP Tests & Diagnosis
CP Treatment