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138
Investigation into the early detection of infantile cerebral palsy
Dr. W. F. Dunham of the Department of Physical Medicine at Charing Cross Hospital,
asked for facilities in connection with a scheme of research on the early detection of
infantile cerebral palsy. During the past six years, by arrangement with the Medical
Research Council, he has been conducting an investigation into disorders resulting
from central nervous disease in the adult. He has also studied special problems of infantile
cerebral palsy at the Unit at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton, and has
come to the conclusion that, in general, the earlier treatment is begun the better are the
results attained. Early diagnosis is, therefore, of prime importance. Diagnosis of cerebral
palsy at birth, however, is possible for only a relatively few babies who show gross central
nervous abnormalities. The majority of those children who are subsequently found to
have cerebral palsy show no abnormal signs for some months after birth on the application
of the usual methods of examination. Dr. Dunham is of the opinion, therefore, that new
methods of examination are required and his object was to develop these from a study
of infantile reflexes. He has already carried out some work along these lines but he
wished to have facilities for further investigation in order to corroborate what had been
done by applying it over a period to a series of apparently normal babies. At the same
time, steps would be taken to prevent abnormal function.
The Council agreed that facilities for a pilot investigation should be granted in
health division No. 9 (covering the boroughs of Battersea and Wandsworth) and that
if successful, similar facilities in other divisions might be made available. The pilot
investigation commenced towards the end of the year.
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