Early Detection & Intervention of Cerebral Palsy in Ireland

Condition(s) studied

Study summary

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong physical disability. It is defined as a non-progressive disorder of movement originating from neural lesions in the perinatal period, and is associated with a wide range of common comorbidities in many individuals. These include problems speaking, hearing, seeing, thinking, feeding and controlling their bladder. People with CP often have additional challenges such as behavioural and emotional issues, pain, and poor sleep. Many of these challenges respond well to intervention in early childhood, as brain plasticity is at its greatest in the first 2 years of life. However, in most clinical settings, the age for diagnosis of CP is between 24 to 29 months, after this window of neurodevelopmental opportunity.

This project will aim to improve the Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy in Ireland. This will be achieved by implementing an evidence-based approach to follow-up of High risk infants.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Reduce the age of CP diagnosis in Ireland. — 5 years
  Reduce the age of diagnosis of cerebral palsy in Ireland to less than 12 months of age by using evidence based standardised motor and neurological assessments at set time points.
• Standardised Approach to Assessing infant at risk of CP — 5 years
  To establish a standardised approach to assessing infants at risk of CP in High Risk Follow-up Clinics across Ireland.

Trial sites (5)

More University College Cork trials in Ireland

Other trials for the same condition