Cerebral palsy diagnosis

Cerebral palsy diagnosis means the identification of lesions in the brain, which can be done by scanning using advanced technology like Computerized Axial Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This technology is very much useful for cerebral palsy diagnosis in the early stage of the child, who is at risk of having the cerebral palsy.

The diagnosis and research programs are conducted throughout the North America with the aim to prevent the cerebral palsy, reducing the effects of disabilities, and to improve the life style of cerebral palsy affected patients.

Most of the usual improvements of a child to identify and reach for toys will be within 3-4 months, sitting without support in 6-7 months, and walking ability in 10-14 months are based on the motor functions of the brain. If these developments are getting delayed in the life of a child, it may be due to the cerebral palsy.

In the course of cerebral palsy diagnosis the medical practitioner will consider the delay in developmental skills and the physical conditions including the abnormality of muscles, movements, reflexes, and abnormal constant infantile reflexes. A definite cerebral palsy diagnosis may not be possible till the child completes one year.

The medical practitioner has to wait for certain period to identify the definite and permanent signs of specific motor problems. The age of eighteen months is the right time to do cerebral palsy diagnosis.

The 18 months time may be very long for the parents of the child but they have to wait for the confirmed cerebral palsy diagnosis. Waiting and observing are most important before the diagnosis is made because all the brain injuries will not permanently impairing the motor functions of the brain and the child may get back to the normal stage.

In the cerebral palsy diagnosis, the most significant aspect is the physical confirmation of abnormal motor functions and muscle co-ordination. It cannot be diagnosed on the basis of an x-ray or a blood test. The physician may arrange for such tests to find out other kinds of neurological diseases.

The blood test and chromosome analysis are useful for diagnosing the hereditary conditions, which may influence the future decisions of child-bearing. Cerebral palsy is not a hereditary formation however these tests will establish or rule out the cerebral palsy.

Computer Tomography and Magnetic resonance imaging scans are useful for the cerebral palsy diagnosis. These scans will confirm the presence of hydrocephalus (an irregular accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles), which may cause other types of motor problems.

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