Cerebral Palsy Symptoms and Diagnosis

Usually prominent by the age of 3, cerebral palsy symptoms may include:

• abnormal muscle tone
• bladder control issues
• difficulty holding objects or performing precise movements
• difficulty swallowing and/or sucking
• drooling
• lack of coordination
• mental retardation
• spasticity
• speech problems
• toe-walking, scissor gait or other abnormal walking behaviors
• tremors and/or seizures
• vision and/or hearing impairments
• writhing movements (particularly with the hands and arms)

Parents who start to notice any of these signs in their babies should seek immediate medical attention for a proper diagnosis.

Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis

To confirm or rule out the presence of cerebral palsy, specialists may perform any combination of the following cerebral palsy tests:

• brain scans (including CT scans, MRIs or cranial ultrasounds)
• electroencephalograms (EEGs) to detect whether epilepsy is present
• electromyography tests (EMGs) to determine whether other nerve disorders are mimicking the symptoms of cerebral palsy
• lab tests (including blood, urine and DNA tests)

Most cases of cerebral palsy are diagnosed before children are 4 or 5 years old.

Following Diagnosis: Seeking Lifetime Benefits

In addition to pursuing all prescribed treatments (some of which may be long-term), parents of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy should speak with an experienced affiliated birth injury attorney at Litigators Incorporated, P.C. who will have access to a team of affiliated medical experts who can help determine whether medical malpractice contributed to the injury. Once the cause is determined, they will fight to recover the compensation you and your child needs and deserves.

For more information, please contact an affiliated birth injury lawyer by calling toll free (866) 251-0808.