Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Cerebral palsy

It can be hard to get a firm diagnosis very early in a child’s life because the brain grows and changes a lot in the first year. It is common to wait until around 9-12 months before the diagnosis is confirmed and the severity of the condition can begin to be assessed. It is very rare for symptoms to develop after the age of 2.

Initial diagnosis is usually based on a physical examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) and computerised tomography (CT scan) can be used to examine the brain and will show up any abnormalities in the cerebrum.

Hearing and visual tests can be carried out to find out the degree to which a child’s senses have been affected.

Blood tests may be conducted to rule out other conditions that may have some similar symptoms, such as muscular dystrophy and brain tumours. An EEG scan (electroencephalogram) may be used for similar reasons; it detects any abnormalities in the electrical activity of the brain.

A technique called computerized gait analysis is sometimes used to assess the type of muscular and movement difficulties experienced in cerebral palsy. This can help specialists to decide how to treat problems with walking.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

  ---