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Ataxic Cerebral Palsy - Diagnosis & Cause


Ataxic cerebral palsy is one of the main classifications of this condition, three of which may exist in isolated forms known as the spastic, ataxic, or athetoid forms or there may be elements of all of them co-existing in a mixed category.

Ataxic cerebral palsy which affects less than 10% of victims is diagnosed by clinical observation and is characterized by low muscle tone and poor co-ordination causing limbs to appear floppy and loose. This condition stems from damage to the spinal cord and cerebellum which affects the entire body and often causes balance problems and unsteady movement. Ataxia which means "poor coordination" affects an estimated 150,000 people in the United States alone. This condition usually results from naturally occurring phenomena often in the form of a birth defect however a significant proportion of cases, probably more than 10% is the result of medical malpractice occurring immediately before, during or shortly after birth. There is no specific treatment for this condition although the disability may be reduced by physical therapy, exercises and the use of equipment such as a walking cane, leg braces and shoe splints.

Children and infants with ataxic cerebral palsy look very unsteady and shaky, with tremors that are similar to those associated with the elderly and infirm. Affected people often have poor coordination and walk unsteadily with a wide based gait, placing their feet unusually far apart to attempt to secure their own stability. These uncontrolled movements are especially noticeable during actions requiring acute motor skills including writing or turning the page of a book or cutting with scissors.

Individuals suffering from ataxic cerebral palsy often experience difficulty reaching for objects because of affected depth perception. They may also experience intention tremors which begin when a voluntary movement, such as reaching for an object, causes a trembling that affects the body part being used and which worsens as the individual gets nearer to the desired object. Victims may also suffer from dysarthria which is characterized by slurred speech and sometimes by explosive variations in voice intensity despite a regular vocal rhythm.

The term 'ataxia' arises from a Greek word which means 'lack of order' and can refer to a more general condition which can manifest itself in the form of sensory, vestibular or cerebellar ataxia. All three types can have overlapping causes and can all exist side by side or they may exist in isolation. Ataxic cerebral palsy can be caused by hereditary factors in addition to birth defects or medical malpractice. The two most prevalent types of the hereditary condition are Friedreich's (recessive) and Marie's (dominant). The cerebellum and spinal cord are affected in this form of the condition which is passed to the next generation via a defective gene. Individuals with no known family history can develop a spontaneous occurrence called sporadic ataxia.

Please consider our cerebral palsy information which contains an overview of this condition and its causes and if you believe that your child's condition is as a result of medical malpractice and you would like free advice on cerebral palsy settlements from a specialist attorney just complete the contact form and a member of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America will telephone to discuss your child's claim with no further obligation.