Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity

Cerebral Palsy

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

During your child's visit to the Child Neurology clinic, our doctors and other health professionals will evaluate your child to provide a precise diagnosis. Our staff will ask you about your child's medical history, as well as your family medical history. If your child's pediatrician has sent any medical records, we will review this information. Be sure to tell your child's neurologist about any medications your child is using, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements or herbal remedies. Our doctors will check your child's motor skills and reflexes, and look for symptoms of cerebral palsy. We also will rule out other conditions that might be causing the movement problems.

Your child may need one or more specialized procedures that test for cerebral palsy:

• Computed tomography (CT) uses X-rays and a computer to create an image of the brain.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) makes images of the brain using a magnetic field and radio waves instead of X-rays.

• Ultrasound forms a picture of the brain called a sonogram by bouncing harmless sound waves off the brain.

• An electroencephalogram (EEG) records electrical activity inside the brain.

• Intelligence tests may be used to see if your child also has mental impairment.

• Vision or hearing tests may be ordered if your child's neurologist suspects that problems with these senses are present.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated August 15, 2007