Cerebral Palsy Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods

Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Cerebral Palsy

Tests & Diagnosis

There is no specific medical test to diagnose cerebral palsy. The diagnosis is generally made based on information gathered by child’s health care provider and other consultants.

The information gathered includes medical histories of both the parents’ families, the mother’s medical problems before and during pregnancy. A detailed account of the pregnancy, labor, delivery, and neonatal (newborn) period is also collected.
Information with regard to child’s medical problems, physical and mental development are noted.
A complete questionnaire is required to be answered in order to properly diagnose.

Imaging studies:

Neuroimaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans and MRI of brain and spinal cord are carried out to help identify the cause and extent of cerebral palsy.

Ultrasound of brain: Harmless sound waves are used to detect the structural and anatomic abnormalities such as hemorrhage or damage due to lack of oxygen in the brain.
CT scan of brain: Malformations, hemorrhage and some other abnormalities are clearly detected using this technique.
MRI of brain: MRI of brain determines the brain structure and its abnormalities.
MRI of spinal cord: MRI of spinal cord is essential in children suffering from spasticity of legs and worsening of bowel and bladder function. These abnormalities may or may not be related to cerebral palsy.

Other tests:

Electroencephalography (EEG): This test is important to diagnose seizure disorders.
Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS): These studies are essential to distinguish cerebral palsy from other muscular or nervous disorders (6).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com