Ataxic Cerebral
Palsy is a rare form of cerebral palsy that makes up only 5 to 10% of cerebral palsy diagnosis. This condition causes low muscle tone and poor coordination, making even the simplest everyday tasks difficult.
Identification
Cerebral palsy is a condition where the brain has been damaged, either during pregnancy, delivery, or before age 3. When the portion of the brain that controls motor skills is damaged, it causes problems with movement, making movement shaky and uncoordinated. Cerebral palsy is split up into four separate classifications that describe the types of movement problems that an individual may have. Individuals may have one or more of the four classifications as part of their CP diagnosis.
Features
People suffering from ataxic cerebral palsy may have tremors that make it difficult to perform tasks that require small motor skills such as typing or writing. Balance can be a problem for individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy and when walking, the patient may take wide steps to compensate. Depth perception may be compromised.
When a normal brain sends a message to the hand to pick up a pencil, the movement is smooth and done without thinking. When the brain of a person with cerebral palsy sends a message to the hand to pick up a pencil, the message is confused and the hand moves in shark jerky movements, sometimes causing the person to be unable to pick up the pencil.
Misconceptions
Ataxic cerebral palsy is not contagious. It is caused by a brain injury that occurred sometime during pregnancy, birth, or early childhood. There is no cure for cerebral palsy but it is a non-progressive condition so it will not get any worse over time. While some individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy have some mental impairments, many do not have any mental limitations.
Effects
Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by an injury to the brain. During pregnancy, this can occur as a result of a genetic predisposition to cell mutation, maternal disease such as diabetes or German measles, or radiation exposure. Complications that can result in ataxic cerebral palsy during birth include a placental abruption, premature birth, long delivery, or breach delivery. During childhood, brain infections, oxygen deprivation and trauma to the head can result in cerebral palsy.
Significance
Individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy can range anywhere from mildly to severely handicapped. It is possible for a child with mild to moderate ataxic cerebral palsy to attend a normal school but in many cases, an aide may be necessary to help with more detailed tasks. Children with severe ataxic cerebral palsy may need to attend a special education program that offers more extensive care.
Physically therapy and exercise can increase flexibility in tight muscles and help maintain muscle strength. In some cases, surgery may be necessary for extremely tight muscles.
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