The ELEVATE Program for Prediction, Early Detection & Intervention in Cerebral Palsy

What this Trial Is About

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain injury in babies that affects movement and muscle tone. Some children with CP may have other developmental challenges like learning difficulties, but many have mostly motor skill issues. This study aims to reduce the age at which CP is diagnosed by using new and specific assessments in high-risk infants, such as those born prematurely or with brain injuries. It also seeks to better predict which children might need support for learning, language, or other developmental outcomes. The research is coordinated by University College Cork and supported by Research Ireland and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, USA. The study compares two groups: a high-risk group of infants with factors like prematurity or hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, and a control group of healthy term infants who did not require neonatal intensive care. Participants will be assessed in outpatient clinics using novel examinations to track their development. The study will take place at multiple hospitals in Ireland and will monitor infants from near term up to 24 months corrected gestational age. During the study, infants will have regular assessments at various time points, including near term to 4 months corrected gestational age, birth to 6 weeks, and 4 to 24 months. Researchers will evaluate motor and intellectual outcomes over a five-year period with follow-ups at 4 and 18 months. Guardians will provide consent and comply with study requirements, and the team will observe the infants' progress to better understand early signs of CP and developmental impairments.

Assessing Intellectual and Motor Outcomes in High-risk Infants