Cerebral Palsy

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by examining a child's physical and behavioral signs. Additional tests to rule out other disorders that can cause movement problems may also be performed. Mayo Clinic doctors have the expertise and many tools to make an accurate diagnosis.

Other diagnostic procedures that may be included:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan. This procedure creates a more detailed image than a conventional X-ray, allowing the doctor to see many soft-tissue structures. A CT scan may show the presence and extent of any damage to a child's brain.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The cylinder-shaped MRI scanner uses no X-rays. Instead, a computer creates tissue-slice images from data generated by a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. These images can be viewed from any direction or plane.

Cerebral palsy is generally diagnosed in the first year or two after birth, but it's often difficult to diagnose in the first six months. Each year, about 5,000 American babies and infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy.