Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

What is ataxic cerebral palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a condition that causes unsteady movements, and difficulty with coordination (ataxia) and balance. It may also affect your child’s depth perception. This is the understanding of an object’s size and how far away it is from your body.

This condition occurs when there’s a disruption in the brain pathways that control muscles and movement. For example, your child might reach for something, but their hand misses its target. This happens because the message that their brain sends to their arm doesn’t get to where it needs to go in time.

How rare is ataxic cerebral palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least common type of cerebral palsy. Fewer than 1 in 10 people diagnosed with cerebral palsy have the ataxic type.

What are the symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy?

The signs and symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy may include:

• Tremors or shaking
• Difficulty with precise movements (reaching for something but missing it)
• Overcorrection of movements (over-adjusting the reach to try to get to the right spot)
• Difficulty with coordinated movements (like clapping or writing)
• Unstable walking and poor balance
• Wide gait (walking with feet reaching farther apart than their hips)
• Difficulty with speaking and swallowing
• Slow eye movements
• Eye movements that miss their target (moving eyes to look at something but the eyes move past where they want to go and have to adjust to get to the right spot)

Sometimes, this condition can look like your child is clumsy or “under the influence” due to the unpredictability of their movements.

How does ataxic cerebral palsy affect speech?

Ataxic cerebral palsy can affect the muscles that regulate your child’s speech and ability to swallow. This can cause “scanning speech,” where there are pauses between words and syllables. Their voice may be monotone, without changes to pitch or expression. Loud breathing may be common as well.

What parts of the body does ataxic cerebral palsy affect?

This condition can affect one or many different parts of your child’s body, including their:

• Legs
• Arms
• Hands and fingers
• Eyes
• Throat muscles

What causes ataxic cerebral palsy?

An injury to the part of the brain called the cerebellum causes ataxic cerebral palsy. Your cerebellum is the part of your brain that regulates movement and coordination.

Brain injury can occur during pregnancy, birth or shortly after birth if the following occur:

• Lack of blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke)
• Bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke)
• Injury to the brain due to infection
• Injury to the brain due to trauma (traumatic brain injury)

A genetic variant (mutation) may cause it, too. Research is ongoing to learn more about this cause.

You may be more at risk of having a child with cerebral palsy if you (the birth mother) or your baby experience:

• An infection during pregnancy that affects your baby or the placenta
• An early birth (preterm)
• Pregnancy complications (such as placental abruption or uterine rupture), which may affect blood flow to the fetus
• Multiples in your uterus (twins, triplets)
• Low birth weight
• Jaundice after birth that’s severe and doesn’t get treated

What are the complications of ataxic cerebral palsy?

Complications of ataxic cerebral palsy may include:

• Uncoordinated movements
• High risk of falls and injuries
• Developmental delays with motor function (like crawling, walking and grabbing)

While less likely, problems with cognitive development (intellectual disability) or seizures may occur.

Is ataxic cerebral palsy an intellectual disability?

Many cases of ataxic cerebral palsy don’t affect your child’s intelligence and don’t cause intellectual disability, but some do. The condition affects each child differently and it mainly affects your child’s movement.

How is ataxic cerebral palsy diagnosed?

A healthcare provider usually diagnoses ataxic cerebral palsy during infancy or childhood. A physical exam in the office is the first step in diagnosis. Your child’s provider may also recommend some follow-up testing. They may ask you questions about their movement and developmental milestones, along with any other symptoms you notice. They’ll also review your child’s muscle tone, motor skills and coordination during the physical.

What tests diagnose ataxic cerebral palsy?

Findings on physical examination may suggest ataxic cerebral palsy. Their provider may recommend imaging tests to look for areas of damage in your child’s brain. Other tests help your child’s provider rule out conditions with similar symptoms. Tests to diagnose ataxic cerebral palsy may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Blood and/or urine tests
• Speech evaluation
• Eye exam
• Genetic testing

How is ataxic cerebral palsy treated?

Treatment for ataxic cerebral palsy may include:

• Exercises at home to practice coordination
• Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy
• Braces or assistive devices (like a wheelchair)
• Medications to relax muscles

Your child’s care team will help your child manage their symptoms so they can gain independence. Management of their symptoms will be lifelong, as there isn’t a cure for ataxic cerebral palsy. Talk to your child’s provider about the possible side effects of treatment so you know what to look out for.

What’s the prognosis (outlook) for ataxic cerebral palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy isn’t a progressive condition. This means it won’t get worse as your child grows, but their symptoms can still affect them as they get older. They’ll likely need support from their care team to help them manage the condition for their entire life. With treatment, many people gain independence and learn how to take care of themselves and navigate their environment safely.

What’s the life expectancy for ataxic cerebral palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy doesn’t directly affect a person’s life expectancy. A person diagnosed with this condition will have a normal to near-normal life expectancy. Your child may face some complications as a result of their diagnosis, but treatment is available to reduce these.

When should my child see a healthcare provider?

If you notice abnormal movements (like tremors or slow eye movements) in your child or they have trouble reaching developmental milestones for their age (like walking or talking), contact a healthcare provider.

Visit the emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency services number if your child severely injures themselves after experiencing a fall.

What questions should I ask my child’s healthcare provider?

• Can you help me understand my child’s diagnosis?
• What type of treatment is best to treat my child’s symptoms?
• What are the goals of this treatment?
• Are there side effects of the treatment?
• Are there assistive devices that may help my child?
• How often do you recommend my child participate in physical or occupational therapy?