Cerebral Palsy Screening

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathway:

• Cerebral Palsy Screening: Neonatal Intensive Care algorithm
• Cerebral Palsy Screening: Outpatient algorithm 

• Cerebral Palsy Screening synopsis- provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway 

Additional tools associated with this Clinical Pathway: 

• Recommendations for Clinician Communication to Caregivers: The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Exam (HINE) and Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis

Inclusion and exclusion criteria: 

• Inclusion: 
  • Inpatients in the NICU and outpatients with risk factors for cerebral palsy  

• Exclusion:
  • Patients with a known progressive abnormal brain condition 
  • Patients previously diagnosed with cerebral palsy who have an established care plan
  • Patients with developmental regression 

Committee members involved in the development: 

• Ara Hall, MD | Neurology | Committee Chair 
• Megan Blaufuss, OTR/L, MS, CPAM | Physical and Occupational Therapy | Committee Member
• Laura Brite, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC | Physical and Occupational Therapy | Committee Member 
• Melissa Ehling, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, NNP-BC | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Marcie Files, MD | Neurology | Committee Member
• Rose Gelineau-Morel, MD | Neurology | Committee Member 
• Emily Goodwin, MD, FAAP | Beacon Program | Committee Member 
• Kimberly Hunter, APRN, NNP-BC, MSN | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Amy Knapitsch, MD | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Brittany McQuain, NNP | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Chaitali Mahajan, MD, MSCR, FAAP | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Diana Marchese, MD | Rehabilitation Medicine | Committee Member
• Deanna McPherson, NNP  | Neonatology | Committee Member
• Denesh Ratnasingam, MD | Rehabilitation Medicine | Committee Member 
• Sathya Vadivelu, DO | Rehabilitation Medicine | Committee Member
• Maggie Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP | Beacon Program | Committee Member 

Patient/Family Committee Member:

• Audra Paquette

EBP Committee Members: 

• Kathleen Berg, MD, FAAP 
• Megan Gripka, MPH, MLS (ASCP) SM  

Publication dates: 

• Finalized date: 09/2025 
• Next expected revision date: 2028 

Concerns with content: If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.