DIAGNOSIS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

• The child may appear to more tired than might be expected and can become irritable.
• There may be difficulties while feeding.
• The child may have an abnormal posture and/or may cry continuously.
• Noticeable and uncontrolled shaking of the infants limbs.
• Muscle tone may unpredictably change from flaccid to stiff or there may be very poor muscle tone in general.
• Seizures may occur without warning.
• The child may be observed staring for extended periods or have fluttering and twitching eyes.
• The child often clenches a fist and exhibits abnormal reflex activity.

Children aged six months or older may exhibit similar but more pronounced symptoms that will assist in the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. There is often difficulty in sitting, crawling, walking and talking. Parents who have other children usually notice these difficulties more easily than first-time parents.

Medical professionals are often hesitant about making a diagnosis of cerebral palsy primarily because there are children who recover from the symptoms which initially may have suggested the condition. In many cases the reason for similar symptoms is a brain tumour, developmental delay, central nervous system dysfunction, neuromotor problems or static encephalopathy.

A diagnosis of cerebral palsy is often confirmed only after the elimination of all other possible reasons for the movement disorder. This usually involves checking for possible genetic diseases, metabolic disorders or brain tumours. A child’s brain activity could be monitored using an electroencephalogram to establish the presence of a seizure disorder. Other tests could involve nerve conduction studies, chromosome analysis, thyroid function examination and in some cases, where tumours are suspected, the child may undergo magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or computed topography scans.

There are many causes of cerebral palsy most of which are natural and unavoidable however a small percentage are as a result of medical negligence. Legal Aid is available in the UK to pursue a claim for compensation against a healthcare practitioner on the grounds of medical negligence. Legal Aid is available for an infants claim and in almost all cases there is no need for a parental financial contribution. Legal Aid is assessed on the basis of the applicant’s income and assets and the applicant in this case would be the child and not the parents. Most infants have no income or assets and will qualify for full Legal Aid with no contribution from the parents even if the parents are wealthy and have very substantial assets or income.

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