Tests and Diagnosis for Cerebral Palsy

There are certain steps that parents should take if they know that there were certain significant risks involved with their pregnancy or during the birth process. If a parents suspects that something may be wrong with their child they should be sure to take every available opportunity to take their child to their wellness visits as well as any annual appointments that should be made during their early childhood years. There, the child’s physician can monitor the child’s developments in key areas, such as: Growth, muscle tone, muscle strength, coordination, and posture. They can also check for age-appropriate motor skills and sensory abilities such as, their sense of hearing, vision and touch. Chances are that you have already seen that your child is not developing adequately or at an appropriate rate in these areas, so you yourself should also be monitoring your child’s development in these areas.

During these visits with your child’s physician you should be able to answer certain questions brought to you by the doctor about your child’s development such as:

·         What concerns you have about your child’s growth or development?

·         How well does your child eat?

·         How does your child respond to touch or other physical stimuli?

·         Have you observed that your child favors one side of their body?

·         Is your child crawling if they are at the age where they are supposed to?

·         Does your child push up on their hand or roll over?

·         If they are at the age where they should be able to speak or walk, do they do it?

Parents should also ask questions about what test will need to be run in order to diagnose their child. How long will it take should be another question to ask and may reduce a parent’s anxiety while waiting for results to come in. parents should also ask about other specialist that they may need to see. Sometimes, children diagnosed with cerebral palsy may also carry other disorders associated with CP. Ask for tests that will determine if your child may qualify for a dual diagnosis, such as, vision impairment, hearing impairment, speech delays or impairments, mental retardation or intellectual disabilities or other developmental delays.

There are many tests that professionals can use to determine a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Doctors may order brain scans for the child. This technology allows physicians to see the areas of damage or abnormal development in the brain. Some of these tests use MRI scans which are painless but can take up to an hour to complete. The child will most likely be given a mild sedative. MRI is also usually the preferred imaging test. A Cranial Ultrasound may also be used. It doesn’t produce a detailed image but it is quick, inexpensive and can be a valuable tool in assessing the brain for abnormalities. A CT scan is a specialized x-ray technology that allows doctors to view cross sections of the brain. It is painless and takes about 20 minutes. If doctors use this tool, the child will need to be given a mild sedative, because they need to be very still during the test. Blood tests may also be done for differential diagnosis purposes.

Work Cited: www.mayoclinic.com/health/cerebral-palsy/