How is Cerebral Palsy diagnosed?

Usually, cerebral palsy is diagnosed by testing an infant's motor skills and comprehensively analyzing his/her medical history. The earlier cerebral palsy is diagnosed, the sooner the child can begin a form of therapy in order to better live with the symptoms related to cerebral palsy.

The physician will check the child�s reflexes and look to see if the baby has developed a preference for using his right or left hand. Reflexes are reactions the body makes automatically in response to a specific sign. For example, if a newborn infant is held on its back and tilted so the legs are above its head, the infant will automatically extend its arms in a gesture, called the Moro reflex, that looks like an embrace. Infants usually lose this reflex after they reach 6 months, but those with cerebral palsy may retain it for abnormally long periods. While most babies do not develop a hand preference (right or left hand) until at least 12 months of age, babies with cerebral palsy, often develop hand preference early, indicating one side of their body is stronger than the other. The health care professional also will take a careful medical history and attempt to rule out any other disorders that could be causing the symptoms.

The doctor also may suggest some specialized tests to learn more about the possible causes of cerebral palsy. The specialized test that may be required in diagnosed cerebral palsy includes brain imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT scan), or ultrasound. A CT scan may reveal brain areas that are not developed well, abnormal cysts (sacs that are often filled with liquid) in the brain, or other physical problems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of the internal structures of the brain. This technique gives better pictures of structures or abnormal areas located near bone than CT. Ultrosonography or ultrasound test is less precise than CT and MRI scanning, can detect cysts and abnormal structures in the brain, allows therapy to begin early.

Finally, physicians may look for other conditions that are linked to cerebral palsy, including seizure disorders, mental impairment, and vision or hearing problems.