Cerebral palsy (CP) encompasses several motor, behavioral and cognitive childhood disorders of the brain that develop as a result of improper brain development or injury [1] [2]. It is a rather common clinical entity, seen in approximately 1-2 per 1000 individuals, but the risk increases up to 100 times in severely preterm newborns, thus supporting the theory of brain dysgenesis as the main factor for the appearance of CP [1]. Based on the clinical presentation, four main categories are recognized - spastic, athetoid (or dyskinetic), ataxic and mixed, with ataxic CP comprising 5-10% of cases [2] [3]. The name "ataxic" implies that the main symptoms are related to the cerebellum and its functions, such as coordination and muscle movement difficulties, as well as the inability to maintain balance and posture [2] [4]. Patients are often unable to perform the desired task, as they are unable to control the rhythm, force or accuracy of movement, particularly with fine and rapid movements [3] [4]. Furthermore, generalized hypotonia, seizures, language disorders and tremor are frequently observed in this group of individuals [2] [4]. An important feature of CP, particularly the ataxic form, is the nonprogressive nature of symptoms, which is why the term "nonprogressive cerebellar ataxia" is mentioned as a synonym in the medical literature [2].

• Falling

  People with ataxic cerebral palsy, who often struggle to maintain balance, can fall easily. Slight nudges or changes in a walking surface can also lead to a fall. [caringforspecialneedskids.com]

  Because their balance is affected, the person may also fall without reason, or be unable to compensate for being accidentally bumped or for variations in the ground surfaces or an accidental mild bump from the side. [cerebralpalsy.org.au]

  Legs: (lower limbs): Walking if often difficult for those with ataxic CP and they are prone to regular falling. [birthinjuryguide.org]

  Frequent fall is very common and sometimes by mistake, their gait pattern is perceived as they are under the influence of alcohol. Most of the time, they walk in broad gait. [trishlafoundation.com]

• Difficulty Walking

  It usually presents itself as lack of control in the arms and legs and difficulty walking. Ataxic cerebral palsy is a medical diagnosis, and ataxia in general is usually a symptom of an underlying occurrence. [hiehelpcenter.org]

  They may have difficulty walking and performing fine motor functions, such as grasping objects and writing. Mixed cerebral palsy Some people have a combination of symptoms from the different types of CP. This is called mixed CP. [healthline.com]

  When both legs are affected (spastic diplegia), a child may have difficulty walking because tight muscles in the hips and legs cause legs to turn inward and cross at the knees (called scissoring). [christopherreeve.org]

  People with spastic diplegia might have difficulty walking because tight hip and leg muscles cause their legs to pull together, turn inward, and cross at the knees (also known as scissoring ). [cdc.gov]

• Turkish

  History Meanings of "ataxic cerebral palsy" in Turkish English Dictionary : 1 result(s) Category English Turkish Pathology 1 Pathology ataxic cerebral palsy ataksik serebral palsi Pronunciation of ataxic cerebral palsy Term Options [tureng.com]

• Type A Personality

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• Poor Coordination

  Characterised by low muscle tone and poor coordination of movement this is a relatively rare form of the condition affecting less than 10% of children with cerebral palsy. [jmw.co.uk]

  A person with ataxic CP will have poor coordination and walk unsteadily with a wide-based gait, usually placing his or her feet far apart in an attempt to balance their body. [beasleyfirm.com]

  Learn about this topic in these articles: characteristics In cerebral palsy Ataxic cerebral palsy is a rare form of the condition that is characterized by poor coordination, muscle weakness, an unsteady gait, and difficulty performing rapid or fine movements [britannica.com]

  Ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by poor coordination and unsteady movements Ataxic cerebral palsy affects 5 to 10 percent of individuals diagnosed with CP, research shows. It affects balance and depth perception. [elkandelk.com]

• Scanning Speech

  Scanning Speech “Scanning speech” may begin to present itself as children get older. Scanning speech is a speech pattern marked by a monotone, breathy-sounding voice, sometimes with sudden accelerations or pauses. [childbirthinjuries.com]

  An individual can also have scanning speech which contains monotonous voice along with pause & acceleration while talking. Most of the time, accurate diagnosis is delayed until the age of 1.5 to 2 years. It is very difficult to treat this problem. [trishlafoundation.com]

  When ataxia affects speech, it is sometimes called ‘scanning’ speech – the person uses a monotone voice with a breathy sound; sometimes there are unusual accelerations or pauses between their syllables. [cerebralpalsy.org.au]

  “Scanning speech” is sometimes the term used to describe the monotone voice people with ataxic cerebral palsy usually have. They may also suddenly speed up their cadence only to slow it way down shortly thereafter. [cerebralpalsysymptoms.com]

  Speech Problems Known as “scanning speech,” people with ataxic CP may speak in a monotone voice marked by a combination of pauses and accelerations while talking. They may also give off a breathing sound while speaking. [birthinjuryguide.org]

• Nystagmus

  The most common facial ataxic symptoms are jerky speech patterns and abnormal eye movements called nystagmus. [redbridgeserc.org]

  Case 5, a 8-year-old boy showed head nodding and nystagmus since 4 months of age. He started ataxic gait at 8 years of age. He could vocalize only single sound for speech. MRI revealed cranium bifida and agenesis of anterior medullar velum. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Because this condition affects all of the muscles, other symptoms include: Jerky speech Abnormal eye movements or nystagmus Difficulty with auditory or visual processing, which can lead to learning difficulties Schedule a Free Consultation with The Beasley [beasleyfirm.com]

  Ataxic cerebral palsy can cause the following symptoms: Speaking problems Difficulty swallowing Weak muscles and the inability to control muscles Poor coordination Nystagmus (inability to control eye movement) Tremors Difficulties with balance Compensation [birthinjurysafety.org]

  The most-common facial symptoms of ataxic CP are jerky speech patterns and abnormal eye movements called nystagmus. Finding Treatment Options As with any form of CP, treatment is very important. [cerebral-palsy-information.com]

• Cerebellar Ataxia

  An important feature of CP, particularly the ataxic form, is the nonprogressive nature of symptoms, which is why the term "nonprogressive cerebellar ataxia" is mentioned as a synonym in the medical literature. [symptoma.com]

  She and her mother were thought to have an early-onset inherited non-progressive cerebellar ataxia syndrome. Case 2, a 8-year-old-girl had ataxic walk since 17 months of age. MRI revealed cerebellar atrophy especially in anterior superior part. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Sarsfield, The Syndrome of Congenital Cerebellar Ataxia, Aniridia and Mental Retardation, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 13, 4, (508-511), (2008). Francis S. [doi.org]

  Hallmark signs of cerebellar ataxia include a wide-base of support in standing, with staggering, frequent collisions with walls and objects, and frequent falling while walking. Overshooting the target is common while reaching. [theratogs.com]

• Broad-Based Gait

  Patients with ataxic cerebral palsy will usually have a broad-based gait, i.e. they walk with their feet unusually far apart. They usually look very unsteady due to low muscle tone as the body has to constantly try to counter-balance itself. [medhelp.org]

  Showing of 9 Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO Autosomal recessive inheritance 0000007 Broad-based gait Wide based walk 0002136 Cerebellar atrophy Degeneration of cerebellum 0001272 Cerebral palsy 0100021 Dysarthria [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]

A comprehensive workup is necessary for patients in whom CP is included in the differential diagnosis, as dozens of congenital and genetic disorders have similar signs and symptoms [2]. Firstly, a detailed interview with the parents regarding the appearance and progression of symptoms should be conducted, whereas a complete physical examination, particularly focused on the neurological exam and assessment of motor function, can roughly make a distinction between various types of CP and thus aid in making a presumptive diagnosis [5]. There should be a strong clinical suspicion of CP if nonprogressive generalized hypotonia and ataxic symptoms are present [3], in which case neuroimaging studies need to be performed as soon as possible. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is able to detect parenchymal defects of the brain in up to 86% of ataxic CP cases, and some of the most common findings are periventricular leukomalacia (lesions of the white matter), hydrocephalus, schizencephaly (the appearance of clefts in the brain), poorly developed corpus callosum, and cerebellar abnormalities, a hallmark of ataxic CP [1] [6]. Computed tomography (CT) can also be performed as an initial method for assessment of the brain, but many studies have identified its inferiority to MRI in detecting lesions suggestive of CP [1] [5] [6].

1. O’Shea TM. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Cerebral Palsy in Near-Term/Term Infants. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2008;51(4):816-828.
2. Lee RW, Poretti A, Cohen JS, et al. A Diagnostic Approach for Cerebral Palsy in the Genomic Era. Neuromolecular Med. 2014;16(4):821-844.
3. Porter RS, Kaplan JL. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 19th Edition. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Whitehouse Station, N.J; 2011.
4. Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe. Surveillance of cerebral palsy in Europe: a collaboration of cerebral palsy surveys and registers. Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE). Dev Med Child Neurol. 2000;42(12):816-824.
5. Hadders-Algra M. Early Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy. Front Neurol. 2014;5:185.
6. Korzeniewski SJ, Birbeck G, DeLano MC, Potchen MJ, Paneth N. A systematic review of neuroimaging for cerebral palsy. J Child Neurol. 2008;23(2):216-227.