Screening for Cerebral Palsy
Detecting cerebral palsy at a young age can greatly help in regards to treatment and helping a child develop motor skills and abilities to lead a more normal life. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but early detection and treatment can help a child better cope with the symptoms.
A delivery mistake or other form of medical malpractice may lead to birth injuries that cause cerebral palsy and other serious disorders. Dr. Bruce G. Fagel is an experienced medical malpractice lawyer serving patients in cerebral palsy cases throughout California. His specific experience in the medical field, including the fact that he is a licensed medical doctor, and his many years of practice as a medical malpractice attorney give him an edge in every case he pursues.
A doctor must carefully screen an infant for cerebral palsy at a young age, should any potential symptoms and developmental delays arise. During a cerebral palsy screening, a doctor will typically test a child’s reflexes, muscle tone, strength, coordination, sense of sight, sense of touch and balance. The doctor may also screen for vision problems, hearing issues, speech disorders or developmental delays. Should the screening discover any issues that could indicate cerebral palsy, your doctor may perform additional tests and may make a diagnosis based upon the findings. Most cases of cerebral palsy are diagnosed within the first 2 to 3 years of the child’s life.
Three common tests associated with cerebral palsy screening include:
- Revised-Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire (R-DPQD) – a form that the child’s parents fill out, assessing the child’s developmental advances.
- Early Motor Pattern Profile (EMPP) – a test for children under 12 months old to test reflexes, muscle tone and motor skills.
- Motor milestone testing – tests performed several times during the first two years of a child’s life, to determine whether the child has motor skills which are appropriate to his or her age.
Experienced California Medical Malpractice Attorney
If your child has undergone screening for cerebral palsy, you may need a medical malpractice attorney on your side to bring a lawsuit against the individual or medical care facility responsible for your child’s condition. You may be entitled to compensation and possibly lifetime benefits to help you care for your child. Call The Law Offices of Dr. Bruce G. Fagel & Associates at (800) 541-9376.
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