Early Detection and Intervention for High-Risk Infants with Cerebral Palsy in Ireland

What this Trial Is About

Cerebral palsy CP is a common lifelong physical disability caused by brain injury near birth, often accompanied by challenges in speech, hearing, vision, thinking, feeding, and bladder control. This research aims to improve early detection of CP in Ireland by following high-risk infants using evidence-based methods. Early intervention is important because brain plasticity is highest in the first two years of life, but diagnosis often occurs later, after this critical window. The study will observe infants at high risk for CP, including those born very early or with low birth weight, infants with brain injury or neurological problems seen on scans or exams, and those with encephalopathy. There is no specific treatment or drug being tested instead, the study will implement standard approaches to assess and monitor these infants to improve early diagnosis and follow-up. Participants will be infants considered high risk for CP and their legal guardians who consent to participate. Researchers will track the timing and methods used to diagnose CP and assess neurodevelopment over five years. The main goals are to reduce the age of CP diagnosis and to standardize infant assessment methods. No interventions are given instead, observation and data collection on development and diagnosis will occur.

Early Detection & Intervention of Cerebral Palsy in Ireland