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Infant Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis


Infant cerebral palsy diagnosis is often a difficult and slow process that takes time to establish with certainty as there other health problems that can mimic the condition. Children under the age of six months may demonstrate some or all of the following indicative symptoms however a positive diagnosis does not necessarily follow :-

  • irritability
  • lethargy
  • abnormal crying
  • feeding difficulties
  • arms and legs trembling
  • poor muscle tone
  • seizures which may include staring spells, eye fluttering or body twitching
  • abnormal posture
  • abnormal reflexes
  • hand held in tight fist
  • muscle tone changing from floppy to very stiff
  • asymmetry of movement

Children suffering from brain injury are often slow to reach developmental milestones including rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and talking. Healthcare professionals are often hesitant to reach an early crebral palsy diagnosis because the child may recover and they may use other, less emotive terms such as:

  • neuromotor dysfunction
  • developmental delay
  • motor disability
  • static encephalopathy
  • central nervous system dysfunction

Prior to making an infant cerebral palsy diagnosis other disorders that cause movement problems must be eliminated and there are a number of techniques available:

    Cerebral palsy is a static condition and declining motor skills may indicate other problems including genetic disease, muscle or metabolic disorder, or tumour in the nervous system.

    Electromyography and nerve conduction studies which are a type scan may reveal disorders of the nerves or muscles.

    An electroencephalogram (EEG) which is an electrical scan of the brain may reveal patterns that suggest a seizure disorder.

    Chromosome analysis should be carried out to eliminate hereditary genetic disorders which may be mimicking the condition thereby hiding a genetic anomaly.

    Analysis of the blood may show a high level of ammonia which is toxic to the central nervous system and may be due to a liver disorder or a defect in metabolism.

    Thyroid tests may show inadequate levels of thyroid hormone, which may produce congenital defects and mental disability.

    Imaging tests may diagnose hydrocephalus, structural abnormalities, and tumours.

    CT scans of the head can show congenital malformations, haemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia.

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may show abnormalities of the structure of the brain.

    Ultrasound scan of the brain can detect cysts and abnormal structures.

Infant cerebral palsy diagnosis is not confirmed until there is absolute certainty because the extent of the child's problems may not become clear for some time. Doctors must test the childs motor skills, using many of the techniques outlined above and carefully consider the medical history and in particular look for evidence of slow development, abnormal muscle tone, and unusual posture. Healthcare professionals will move slowly and carefully towards a positive diagnosis only after eliminating all other possible causes of the child’s condition

Please consider our cerebral palsy information which contains an overview of this condition and its causes and if you believe that your child's condition is as a result of medical malpractice and you would like free advice on cerebral palsy settlements from a specialist attorney just complete the contact form and a member of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America will telephone to discuss your child's claim with no further obligation.