What tests can be done to diagnose cerebral palsy?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common childhood movement disorder, usually caused by brain damage during fetal or infancy. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improving children's quality of life. This article will introduce in detail the common examination methods for cerebral palsy, combined with recent hot medical topics, to help parents and medical staff better understand the diagnostic process.
1. Common examination methods for cerebral palsy

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy usually requires a combination of clinical manifestations and multiple examination methods. The following are common inspection methods:
| Check type | Specific projects | function |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging examination | MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) | Observe brain structural abnormalities, such as ventricular enlargement, white matter damage, etc. |
| neuroelectrophysiological examination | Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG) | Assess brain electrical activity and muscle function |
| developmental assessment | GMFM (Gross Motor Function Assessment), PDMS (Peabody Motor Development Scale) | Quantifying motor development levels |
| laboratory tests | Blood testing, genetic testing | Rule out metabolic diseases or genetic factors |
2. The relationship between recent hot medical topics and the diagnosis of cerebral palsy
In the past 10 days, the following medical hot spots are related to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy:
| hot topics | Content overview | Link to diagnosis of cerebral palsy |
|---|---|---|
| AI-assisted imaging diagnosis | Application of artificial intelligence technology in MRI image analysis | Improve the detection rate of small brain lesions |
| Newborn genetic screening | Many countries promote newborn genetic disease screening programs | Early detection of genetic factors that may cause cerebral palsy |
| telerehabilitation assessment | Application of telemedicine in the field of rehabilitation during the epidemic | Facilitate professional evaluation for children in remote areas |
3. Precautions for diagnosing cerebral palsy
1.The importance of early diagnosis: Cerebral palsy symptoms may gradually appear when the baby is 6 months to 1 year old, but some high-risk babies (such as premature infants) can detect abnormalities through professional evaluation within 3 months.
2.Multidisciplinary collaboration: The ideal diagnostic team should include a pediatrician, neurologist, rehabilitation physician, and physical therapist.
3.Differential diagnosis: It is necessary to exclude progressive neurological diseases, metabolic diseases and other diseases that may cause similar symptoms.
4.dynamic assessment: Because of the variability in child development, multiple evaluations may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
4. How parents can observe potential symptoms
Parents can increase vigilance through the following behaviors:
| age stage | warning signs |
|---|---|
| 0-3 months | Abnormal crying, difficulty feeding, stiff or excessive limbs |
| 4-6 months | Unable to turn over, continuous fisting of hands, asymmetrical movements |
| 7-12 months | Can't sit alone, can't crawl, often uses one limb |
| 1 year old and above | Toes touching the ground when walking, abnormal gait, poor fine movements |
5. Latest Treatment and Research Progress
According to recent medical journal reports:
1.stem cell therapy: Multiple clinical trials are evaluating the effect of stem cells on improving motor function in children with cerebral palsy, and preliminary results show that some patients have experienced symptom relief.
2.Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation: The new exoskeleton robot can provide precise movement training and help children rebuild neuromuscular control.
3.transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS): Non-invasive brain stimulation technology shows potential to improve symptoms of spastic cerebral palsy.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of cerebral palsy requires a combination of multiple examination methods and clinical assessment. With the advancement of medical technology, the effectiveness of early diagnosis and intervention continues to improve. Parents should seek medical treatment promptly if they find any abnormalities, and a professional team will develop a personalized examination plan based on the specific situation. At the same time, staying tuned to the latest medical advances can provide more possibilities for treatment.
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