Diagnosis and Life Expectancy

Occupational Therapy with splints

Diagnosis 

A qualified and eminent doctor can diagnose Cerebral Palsy  in the first 12 months of the new born. Doctors usually start to suspect cerebral palsy when parents complain that their baby has not attained neck control or has slow motor development (does not reach developmental milestones as per his/her present age) or has tight muscle tone, or displays unusual postures. Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight and low reflexes are found to be at a high risk of suffering from Cerebral Palsy. It has also been seen that multiple births (e.g. twins or triplets) are also associated with higher rates of cerebral palsy. 

Life Expectancy 

It is a known fact, that people with cerebral palsy will have a normal life expectancy. There is a myth that people with CP have short life expectancy. If proper care taken and available treatment is done, the patient will develop fast and lead a normal life in future. The damage to the brain that caused cerebral palsy will not progress or get worse with the age of the person.