Screening Your Child for Cerebral Palsy
Concerned About Your Child’s Development? Take Action Now.
To detect cerebral palsy at a young age, physicians must carefully screen patients for the disorder. This usually takes place after the doctor suspects developmental delays that could be symptoms of cerebral palsy. During this screening, certain tests are employed to evaluate the developmental progress of a child. These tests may include the Revised-Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire (R-DPDQ), the Early Motor Pattern Profile (EMPP), and testing for motor milestones.
Examining the Tests Used to Screen for Cerebral Palsy
The R-DPDQ is a form that assesses a child’s developmental advances and is filled out by the child’s parents. The EMPP is used for children less than one year old, and checks for muscle tone, reflex, and body movement problems. Testing for motor milestones is usually performed several times during the first two years of life. It involves checking if the baby has motor skills appropriate to its age.
In some cases, brain imaging test such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT scan), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to screen babies for cerebral palsy. Sometimes physicians can determine the cause or severity of a cerebral palsy case through an examination of the brain. However, some patients may show no brain abnormalities and still suffer from mild cerebral palsy.
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If you are concerned about the development of your child and believe that he or she should be screened for cerebral palsy, speak with your doctor immediately. If the results of that screening suggest a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, you and your family deserve to receive all the benefits you are legally entitled to. By working with a Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer from The Law Office of Snyder & Snyder, P.A., you can ensure a safer and more secure future for every member of your family.
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