UCC Study Speeds Up Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis in Irish Infants

New assessment protocol cuts cerebral palsy diagnosis time by 17 months

Children in Ireland are receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis significantly earlier than in previous years, following the implementation of a new monitoring protocol across four maternity hospitals. According to findings published in The Journal of Pediatrics, the median age at which infants are diagnosed with the condition has dropped from 24 months to seven months. The study, which analyzed the outcomes of 1,161 infants considered at increased risk, marks a shift in how neonatal care units identify developmental markers.

The research, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, tracks the effectiveness of new early detection pathways at Cork University Maternity Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, and the Coombe Hospital. Before the introduction of these standardized assessment frameworks, infants at high risk were routinely followed in neonatal clinics, but a formal diagnosis often did not occur until the child neared their second birthday. Under the new system, the proportion of children receiving a diagnosis before their first birthday jumped from 20 percent to 88 percent.

Specialist neurological assessments at key development stages

The initiative relied on structured follow-up and specialist neurological assessments performed at critical junctures of an infant’s development. By adapting international recommendations to the specific requirements of the Irish healthcare system, the researchers were able to achieve an almost immediate reduction in the age of diagnosis, a trend that the study confirms has been sustained over time.

“Previously, children at increased risk of cerebral palsy were routinely followed in neonatal clinics, but many were around two years old before receiving a diagnosis,” said lead author Prof Brian Walsh. “By introducing specialist assessments at key stages of development across four hospitals, we changed how these children were monitored. With guidance and support from international experts, we adapted established recommendations to the Irish healthcare setting.”

For families, the clinical shift has translated into practical, immediate support. Clíodhna and Brian Gallagher, whose son MJ was diagnosed at four months old after participating in the study, were able to access physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy during a vital window of brain development. “Although it is not something any parent wants to hear, we were so grateful as it meant our gorgeous little boy could get the help and support needed,” said Clíodhna. “We felt very lucky in an unlucky situation.”

Expanding the national framework

The success of the initial study has prompted efforts to extend these early detection pathways to additional sites, including University Hospital Waterford and Children’s Health Ireland. Prof Deirdre Murray, a co-author of the research, emphasized that earlier identification provides the opportunity for targeted therapies at a stage when intervention can yield the most significant improvements in long-term outcomes.

Despite the success in these four initial hospitals, the broader challenge remains consistency across the country. Prof Geraldine Boylan, director of the INFANT Research Centre, noted that the next phase of the project involves ensuring equitable access to these diagnostic standards regardless of geographic location. “The next challenge is to ensure children across Ireland can benefit from earlier diagnosis, regardless of where they live,” said Prof Boylan. She added that a national cerebral palsy framework, supported by sustained investment, is required to ensure consistent care throughout a patient’s life.

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