Family Centred Intervention and Early Diagnosis

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Top Contributors - Robin Tacchetti, Robin Leigh Tacchetti, Jess Bell, Kim Jackson, Tarina van der Stockt, Ewa Jaraczewska and Naomi O'Reilly  

Family Centered Intervention

Cerebral Palsy

The most common physical disability in childhood is cerebral palsy and occurs for every 1 in 500 births. Traditionally, a diagnosis would be concluded between 12 and 24 months of age. Based on a 2017 literature review, signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy appear and develop before 2 years of age. Using a combination of medical history, neuroimaging and standardized motor and neurological assessments, the risk of cerebral palsy can be estimated for infants under 2 years old. One predictive tool that has shown high sensitivity detecting cerebral palsy in infants is the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. This tool shows 98% sensitivity when administered to infants under 5 months old, and 90% sensitivity over 5 months of age.

Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination

The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE)

Gross Motor Function Classification System

The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) tool classifies children under 2 into 5 distinct levels depending on movement that is self-initiated accenting mobility, transfers and sitting. These criterion relate to functional limitations for the child versus quality of movement.

TABLE 1

The Prechtl General Movement Assessment

The Prechtl General Movement Assessment

r. Clinicians should understand the importance of prompt referral to diagnostic-specific early intervention to optimize infant motor and cognitive plasticity, prevent secondary complications, and enhance caregiver well-being.

Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination

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References

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