pediatrics
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
Brain MRI Sometimes testing to exclude hereditary metabolic or neurologic disorders If CP is suspected, identifying the underlying disorder is important. History may suggest a cause. A brain MRI can detect abnormalities in most cases. CP can rarely be confirmed during early infancy, and the specific type often cannot be characterized until 2 years of age. High-risk children (eg, those with evidence of asphyxia, stroke, periventricular abnormalities seen on cranial ultrasonography in preterm infants, jaundice, meningitis, neonatal seizures, hypertonia, hypotonia, or reflex suppression) should be followed closely. 