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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffEarly signs of cerebral palsy may be present from birth. But if signs and symptoms are mild, it may be difficult to make a definite diagnosis before the age of 4 or 5. In most cases, cerebral palsy is diagnosed by age 1 or 2.
Diagnostic tests may include:
Brain scans
If your baby is born prematurely and is at high risk of cerebral palsy, your doctor may suggest a cranial ultrasound because it is the least intrusive of the imaging techniques used to visualize the brain. Cranial ultrasound, however, provides a less detailed image than does a CT scan or an MRI. An MRI reveals the most details, which help determine a cause and a prognosis.
- Cranial ultrasound. This test uses high frequency sound waves to obtain images of the soft tissues inside the skull. Cranial ultrasound is painless and takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete.
- CT scan. This test uses a computer to combine X-ray images taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional views of your child's brain. Scanning is painless and takes about 30 minutes. If your child can't hold still for the scanning, he or she may be given a light sedative.
- MRI. Using radio waves and a powerful magnet, an MRI can produce detailed images of the brain. This test is painless, but it is noisy and can take up to an hour to complete. If your child can't hold still long enough for this test, he or she may be given a sedative.
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
If your child has had seizures, your doctor may recommend an electroencephalogram (EEG) to check for epilepsy. In an EEG test, a series of electrodes must be affixed to your child's scalp. The procedure is painless and records the electrical activity inside your child's brain.
Lab tests
Your child's blood may need to be checked to help rule out other conditions — such as blood-clotting disorders that can cause strokes — that may mimic cerebral palsy signs and symptoms. Lab tests may also screen for genetic or metabolic problems.
- Cerebral palsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_palsy/detail_cerebral_palsy.htm. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Miller G. Epidemiology and etiology of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 2, 2008.
- Miller G. Clinical features and diagnosis of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 3, 2008.
- Parmet S, et al. JAMA patient page: Chickenpox. Journal of the American Medical Association. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Neurological consequences of cytomegalovirus infection information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cytomegalic/cytomegalic.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Toxoplasmosis: Pregnant women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/toxoplasmosis/pregnant.html. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- CDC fact sheet: Syphilis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/std/Syphilis/syphilis-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/encephalitis_meningitis/detail_encephalitis_meningitis.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Miller G. Management and prognosis of cerebral palsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 5, 2008.
