Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy is a type of cerebral palsy caused by damage to the basal ganglia or cerebellum. This type of cerebral palsy inflects 10% of the children who have cerebral palsy. Athetoid cerebral palsy is not genetic, and therefore is not passed on from parents to children.

The symptom of athetoid cerebral palsy is involuntary, purposeless movements of the arms, face, or trunk. These involuntary movements interfere with feeding, speaking, reaching, grasping, and other tasks that require coordination. Involuntary movements of the face and tongue may lead to slurred speech, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. It causes low muscle tone, which can affect the ability to maintain posture for sitting and walking.

Symptoms increase when the person experiences emotional stress. Children with athetoid cerebral palsy tend to squirm or thrash about when they are excited or upset. Symptoms disappear during sleep.

There is no cure for athetoid cerebral palsy. Treatment is likely to include physical therapy. Medication may be prescribed to help reduce the involuntary movements. Treatment may also include occupational, speech and language therapy. Because each case of athetoid cerebral palsy is different, the doctor will recommend what courses of treatment will be most beneficial.