Cerebral Palsy: Was Your Child Misdiagnosed?
There are two ways a child can be misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy. Your little one could be diagnosed with cerebral palsy when they are suffering from a different condition. Or, the doctor may diagnose your baby with another medical condition when they actually have cerebral palsy. In both situations, there could be dire consequences if the diagnosis is not quickly corrected.
Disorders That Are Often Mistaken for Cerebral Palsy
Some medical disorders share similar symptoms, doctors may mistake other conditions for cerebral palsy and vice versa. For instance, conditions like dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) may cause some of the same behavior or spinal cord instability as cerebral palsy.
People with DRD don’t produce enough DOPA, which is an important neurochemical for brain function and development. This can cause a person to have limited mobility even though they are acquiring more muscle tone. While DRD and cerebral palsy can mimic each other in some ways, different treatments are required for these conditions. This is why it is crucial that patients are properly diagnosed.
Neurological Diseases
Some progressive disorders are also misdiagnosed as cerebral palsy in some cases. These include metachromatic leukodystrophy, Rett syndrome, and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.
These disorders cause a breakdown in behavior and cognitive skills as well as motor skills. They could be confused for cerebral palsy initially, but as the disease progresses, it becomes clear that the patient is not suffering from cerebral palsy. This is why it is important to start treatment as early as possible.
A genetic disorder called glutaric aciduria can also be mistaken for cerebral palsy. This is a progressive disease that occurs in the temporal area of a child’s brain and causes a child to develop chorea or make rapid involuntary motions.
Injuries of the Spinal Cord
Spinal cord injuries are not considered disorders, but these injuries have symptoms that can be confused with a medical disorder. If a child’s motor function is deteriorating, they have issues controlling their bladder or bowels, or they have spasticity that is getting progressively worse, doctors should check to see if the child is suffering from a severe spinal cord injury so the spine can be stabilized.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medicines can cause spastic motions that could be mistaken for cerebral palsy. If you notice that your child is experiencing an extreme change in movement or mobility, speak to your child’s pediatrician about the possible side effects of any medication your child is taking, especially if your child has not been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Avoiding a Cerebral Palsy Misdiagnosis
Doctors have to take special care not to confuse the symptoms and signs of other conditions with cerebral palsy. Some medical conditions closely resemble cerebral palsy, so doctors should make sure they are following the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics to ensure that each of their young patients is properly diagnosed.
It’s also important for physicians to seek a second opinion from a doctor who specializes in cerebral palsy so that other conditions can be properly ruled out.
What You Can Do
If you’re a parent whose child has acquired cerebral palsy and you think your physician has misdiagnosed your child, you can request brain imaging scans or get a second opinion if your physician has failed to do so. It’s also a good idea to stay on top of the latest treatments and research concerning cerebral palsy and other mobility and neurological disorders.
If you think your child would benefit from the care of a specialist, ask your doctor for a referral. You can also contact a lawyer with experience in dealing with cerebral palsy cases if you feel your child has not been properly diagnosed and treated. Having legal representation on your side could help you get the compensation you deserve for a cerebral palsy misdiagnosis.
