From two years to seven months: How Irish research is changing cerebral palsy diagnosis

New research led by INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork shows how changes to neonatal follow-up care are helping children at increased risk of cerebral palsy receive a diagnosis much earlier.

For Waterford parents Clíodhna and Brian Gallagher, receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis for their son MJ at just four months old was difficult news. But it also meant something many families have historically waited much longer for: answers.

MJ’s early diagnosis, following his participation in a research study at Cork University Hospital, enabled him to access tailored physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, while his parents received guidance on supporting his 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.”

Their experience reflects an important change taking place in cerebral palsy care in Ireland.

From two years to seven months

New research led by the INFANT Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC) has found that the median age of cerebral palsy diagnosis among infants at increased risk has fallen from 24 months to just seven months.

The proportion of children diagnosed before their first birthday also increased from 20% to 88%.

Published in The Journal of Pediatrics, the study examined outcomes for 1,161 infants across four Irish maternity hospitals, comparing care before and after the introduction of new early detection pathways.

The research involved Cork University Maternity Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital.

Rather than waiting for developmental difficulties to become more apparent, clinical teams introduced a consistent approach to monitoring babies at increased risk, including specialist neurological assessments at key stages of development, staff training and structured follow-up.

Professor Brian Walsh, lead author of the study, Consultant Neonatologist at Cork University Maternity Hospital and Principal Investigator at INFANT Research Centre, explained:

“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.

“The reduction in age at diagnosis was almost immediate, and importantly, it has been sustained.”

Why earlier diagnosis matters

Cerebral palsy is the most common lifelong physical disability, affecting an estimated 12,500 people in Ireland. The condition affects movement, posture and coordination.

Identifying cerebral palsy during infancy can help children access targeted therapies and developmental support at a time when the brain is developing rapidly.

For families, it can also mean receiving answers sooner and having more time to understand their child’s needs and access appropriate support.

Professor Deirdre Murray, co-author of the study, Chair in Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy at UCC and Deputy Director of INFANT Research Centre, said:

“For families, earlier diagnosis means less time waiting for answers and the opportunity to access specialist care sooner. It can also open the door to targeted therapies during a critical period of brain development, when intervention can make a real difference.”

Making earlier diagnosis available across Ireland

The next step is to extend these improvements beyond Ireland’s four tertiary maternity hospitals.

Work is already underway to expand early detection pathways to additional services, including University Hospital Waterford and Children’s Health Ireland, with the aim of making early assessment more consistent for children at increased risk of cerebral palsy.

Professor Geraldine Boylan, Director of INFANT Research Centre at UCC, said:

“The next challenge is to ensure children across Ireland can benefit from earlier diagnosis, regardless of where they live.

“A National Cerebral Palsy Framework, backed by sustained investment, is urgently needed to ensure people with cerebral palsy can access the right care at the right time throughout their lives.”

About the research

The study, Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy in Ireland: A National NICU Implementation Initiative, was led by INFANT Research Centre, UCC, in collaboration with clinical teams across Ireland.

This research was funded by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Additional research personnel were supported through the ELEVATE Strategic Partnership Programme, co-funded by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and Research Ireland.

The study also received support from in4kids, Ireland’s national paediatric clinical research network, which provided clinical research coordination and study set-up support.

 

Read the published research in The Journal of Pediatrics