What Causes Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy describes a group of chronic conditions affecting the body’s movements and muscle coordination. “Cerebral” refers to the brain, while “Palsy” refers to a physical disorder. There are different forms of cerebral palsy: spastic cerebral palsy (still and difficult movement), athetoid cerebral palsy (involuntary and uncontrolled movement),  ataxic cerebral palsy (disturbed sense of depth perception and balance) and mixed cerebral palsy (a combination of any of the three other types of cerebral palsy. Ataxic cerebral palsy is the least diagnosed of all the types.
 
The medical term ataxia refers to the loss of muscle coordination, particularly in the limb. Ataxic cerebral palsy involves depth perception and balance. Those diagnosed with this form of cerebral palsy will have difficulty with coordination and balance. Some also suffer from “intention tremor,” which is a shaking or trembling that begins with a voluntary movement.  Quick, sudden movements can also be difficult as well as activities that require precision movements.
 
Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or brain damage. Bleeding in the unborn baby’s brain can also trigger brain damage, leading to cerebral palsy. Bleeding is often caused by strokes and some fetal strokes lead to brain damage. When the baby’s mother has high blood pressure during pregnancy, the unborn baby is at greater risk of a stroke. High blood pressure isn’t uncommon during pregnancy, but should be carefully monitored to assure a healthy mother and baby. Infections in the mother of the baby can also cause stroke to the unborn baby.
 
If the baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen at any time, there’s risk of fetal brain damage and possible diagnosis of ataxic cerebral palsy. Babies will usually show symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy at birth, but development delays during the first year of growth can lead to diagnosis of ataxic cerebral palsy. If you’re located in New Jersey or Pennsylvania and would like to discuss your specific ataxic cerebral palsy case with us, please contact us.