Early, Accurate Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment
JAMA Pediatrics
Novak, I., Morgan, C., et al. (2017).
JAMA Pediatrics, 171(9), 897-907.
This systematic review investigates the impact of early, accurate diagnosis and early intervention on optimizing neuroplasticity and function in children with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation
Database inception up to 2016
Systematic reviews with or without a meta-analyses; criteria of diagnostic accuracy; evidence-based clinical guidelines
6 systematic reviews; 2 evidence-based clinical guidelines
<div>Results suggested that the following cerebral palsy-specific early interventions have potential to optimize infant neuroplasticity, prevent complications, and enhance parent/caregiver wellbeing:</div>
<ul>
<li>standard early hearing accommodations;</li>
<li>comprehensive assessment of swallowing safety; </li>
<li>speech language pathology interventions to facilitate parent-infant interactions (e.g., Hanen It Takes Two to Talk, More Than Words); and</li>
<li>alternative and augmentative communication, when speech is not possible or inadequate.</li>
</ul>
<div>Findings indicated that cerebral palsy or high risk of cerebral palsy can be diagnosed early (e.g., before 6 months’ corrected age) and accurately using clinical reasoning, standardized tools, and evaluation of associated conditions (e.g., vision impairment, hearing loss, epilepsy).</div>
