Innovative Mobile App Enhances Early Screening for Cerebral Palsy in Infants

A groundbreaking smartphone application developed by researchers at the University of Melbourne is revolutionizing the way cerebral palsy (CP) is diagnosed in infants. Traditionally, detecting CP involves in-person assessments by trained clinicians, typically through the General Movements Assessment (GMA), which observes and evaluates a baby's movement patterns to identify early signs of the disorder. However, this process can be challenging for families, especially those living in rural or remote areas, due to geographical and logistical barriers.

The new app, called Baby Moves VIEW, empowers parents to perform an initial screening from home by recording their baby's movements with their smartphones. These videos are then securely sent to clinicians for review, facilitating earlier diagnosis—sometimes as early as three months of age, compared to the average diagnosis age of 19 months in Australia. Early detection is crucial because it allows for prompt interventions that can significantly reduce the severity of CP and improve long-term outcomes.

Co-founder Professor Alicia Spittle emphasized that the app aligns with medical guidelines recommending GMA assessments between 12 and 16 weeks of age for at-risk infants. Dr. Amanda Kwong added that early diagnosis enables therapies to harness the brain's neuroplasticity, potentially rewiring neural pathways positively. The app incorporates an AI-based quality check to ensure videos meet specific standards, such as proper lighting and minimal crying, and guarantees data security in compliance with Australian laws.

The prototype has already been tested successfully in over 20 international studies involving more than 10,000 families. Its deployment aims to make early cerebral palsy screening more accessible and affordable, ultimately advocating for governmental support to provide universal access to this vital service in the future.