Assessment of Early Detection Practices for Infants at Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Multidisciplinary Clinicians.
7 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- 2Medical and Rehabilitation Department, SESOBEL, Ain EL Rihani, Lebanon.
- 3Al-Wakra Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
- 4Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
- 5School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
- 6CanChild Centre for Childhood-Onset Disability Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- 7School of Health Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Abstract
Introduction
Evidence-based guidelines, published in 2017, recommend confirming a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) before 6 months of corrected age. In Lebanon where research on early detection is lacking, diagnoses are often delayed, typically initiated only when developmental milestones are missed.Aim
To assess current practices of clinicians (pediatricians, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists) working with children aged ˂3 years who may be diagnosed with or are at risk of CP across Lebanon and to identify the most used commonly tools for early detection and surveillance programs.Methods
This cross-sectional study is based on survey distribution to clinicians working with children aged ˂3 years, at risk of CP across Lebanon.Results
Ninety clinicians completed the survey (48% physiotherapists, 37% pediatricians, and 15% occupational therapists). Of these, 34% reported diagnosing CP. Only 7% of respondents reported awareness of the Prechtl Qualitative Assessment of General Movements (GMs) and its use in clinical practice for infants aged <12 months. While 33% were aware of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) for diagnosing children with CP aged ˂24 months, 7% reported using it consistently. Clinicians across all age groups primarily relied on history, signs/symptoms, and brain MRI for diagnosing children with CP. Barriers related to the use of GMs and HINE are related to lack of training and funding. Regarding the surveillance programs adopted, hip and spine monitoring guidelines were reported by 23% and 21% of participants, respectively.Conclusion
Early CP detection in Lebanon falls short of international standards, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and training through a multicentric or a national action.
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BibTeX
@article{massaad2026assessment,
title = {{Assessment of Early Detection Practices for Infants at Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Multidisciplinary Clinicians.}},
author = {Abir Massaad and Marie Barhouche Abou Saab and Nahla Saad Mouawad and Abdullah Alshami and Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles and Sian A Williams and Ginny Paleg and Micheline Bakhos and Ayman Assi and Ismat Ghanem},
journal = {Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/jmdh.s622038},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928879},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Assessment of Early Detection Practices for Infants at Risk of Cerebral Palsy in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Multidisciplinary Clinicians.
AU - Abir Massaad
AU - Marie Barhouche Abou Saab
AU - Nahla Saad Mouawad
AU - Abdullah Alshami
AU - Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles
AU - Sian A Williams
AU - Ginny Paleg
AU - Micheline Bakhos
AU - Ayman Assi
AU - Ismat Ghanem
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare
DO - 10.2147/jmdh.s622038
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928879
AB - Introduction Evidence-based guidelines, published in 2017, recommend confirming a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) before 6 months of corrected age. In Lebanon where research on early detection is lacking, diagnoses are often delayed, typically initiated only when developmental milestones are missed.Aim To assess current practices of clinicians (pediatricians, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists) working with children aged ˂3 years who may be diagnosed with or are at risk of CP across Lebanon and to identify the most used commonly tools for early detection and surveillance programs.Methods This cross-sectional study is based on survey distribution to clinicians working with children aged ˂3 years, at risk of CP across Lebanon.Results Ninety clinicians completed the survey (48% physiotherapists, 37% pediatricians, and 15% occupational therapists). Of these, 34% reported diagnosing CP. Only 7% of respondents reported awareness of the Prechtl Qualitative Assessment of General Movements (GMs) and its use in clinical practice for infants aged <12 months. While 33% were aware of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) for diagnosing children with CP aged ˂24 months, 7% reported using it consistently. Clinicians across all age groups primarily relied on history, signs/symptoms, and brain MRI for diagnosing children with CP. Barriers related to the use of GMs and HINE are related to lack of training and funding. Regarding the surveillance programs adopted, hip and spine monitoring guidelines were reported by 23% and 21% of participants, respectively.Conclusion Early CP detection in Lebanon falls short of international standards, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and training through a multicentric or a national action.
SN - 1178-2390
ER -