The child is slow to reach milestones such as rolling over, sitting, crawling, and walking. Developmental delays are the main clues that a child might have cerebral palsy. Abnormal muscle tone. Body parts are floppy or too stiff. When is cerebral palsy diagnosed? The time varies when parents are given an official diagnosis that their child has cerebral palsy. Very premature babies are usually watched carefully and may have an early MRI scan magnetic resonance imaging.
However, most children with cerebral palsy are not born prematurely. Most are born at full term and it is not until they do not meet the usual infant milestones that any form of disability is considered. A MRI might show that they have an injury to the brain, but at that stage it is often too early to predict the impact. How do doctors diagnose cerebral palsy? Some children may have very relaxed, floppy muscles, while others have stiff, tight muscles. Doctors will also look for any unusual postures or if the child favours one side over the other.
McIntyre, S. A similar imbalance of muscles in the back may result in scoliosis , in which the spine develops unusual curves. Orthopedic conditions such as these may limit movement or make sitting or walking difficult or uncomfortable. Our experts closely monitor children with cerebral palsy as they grow. If doctors notice that changes in bone alignment start to become evident, they can begin treatment early to prevent the condition from becoming a more serious problem.
Although cerebral palsy is not diagnosed right away, our neonatal specialists can often identify signs of neurological damage in a newborn baby based on the results of tests performed immediately after a baby is born. Our neonatal specialists immediately address any medical needs a newborn has with early intervention.
Additional diagnostic tests may be used to support a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. There is no single test that confirms a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
Doctors perform a quick but thorough physical and neurological exam immediately after the baby is born. Doctors also use a physical exam to look for other signs of neurological problems, such as a reduced heart rate, increased or decreased muscle tone, poor muscle reflexes, and difficulty breathing or crying. This test is performed 1 minute after birth, 5 minutes after birth, and 10 minutes after birth.
Each category is assigned a number score between 0 and 2—for example, a baby with a normal heart rate receives a score of 2—and the numbers are added for a maximum combined score of Babies with neurological disorders often have low Apgar scores.
Having a score of three or less at five minutes after birth may suggest oxygen deprivation in the brain, one possible cause of cerebral palsy.
If an infant or toddler begins to lag behind on physical milestones or exhibits poor control over muscle movement, doctors may recommend evaluation by a specialist. Pediatric orthopedists, neurologists, physiatrists, and other specialists may play a role in diagnosis. Most children with cerebral palsy are diagnosed by the time they are three. Pediatric specialists carefully examine your infant, toddler, or child for low muscle tone and evidence of spasticity in the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and wrists.
CT scans use X-rays to take a series of pictures of the brain. A computer combines these pictures, creating highly detailed two- and three-dimensional images that may reveal damage to the areas of the brain associated with balance and movement.
MRI scans may reveal visible signs of brain damage. X-rays have been commonly used to provide images of structures inside of the body. As a child grows, doctors may use these imaging tests to monitor the development of bones.
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