Understanding The Athetoid Type of Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy is a type of cerebral palsy that affects about ten percent of most cerebral palsy patients. Athetoid CP is characterized by very slow, uncoordinated movements throughout the body, but especially so in the hands, legs, arms, and feet. Face and tongue muscles can also be affected and may result into grimacing or drooling. When the tongue is affected, the result may be difficulty in speaking. Let’s take a look at this condition and what treatment options are available.

This disorder originates from damage to the basal ganglia in the midbrain region, where specialized structures maintain movements and posture. With athetoid CP, the basal ganglia are damaged and this causes fluctuations in the muscles throughout the entire body. Some researchers attribute this type of damage to increased levels of bilirubin inside the afflicted person, either from infections or blood incompatibility between the mother and her child (called the Rh factor). During times of high stress levels, this type of cerebral palsy can become aggravated, yet will almost completely disappear during sleep.

An athetoid cerebral palsy child demonstrates serious symptoms. They include unmanageable and involuntary slow writhing movements of the limbs, involuntary movements of the face or tongue, the inability to walk or stand without help because of poor muscle tone, difficulty in grasping or holding objects, the inability to feed themselves and perform activities of daily living due to uncoordinated movements, drooling and tongue thrusting, and the inability to speak or swallow food normally.

Treatment for athetoid CP includes prescribing a group of drugs known as anti-cholinergics, which are used to decrease abnormal and unwanted movements. It blocks the effects of acetylcholin, which is what triggers muscle contraction when acting on nerve cells. The other drugs prescribed for use are trihexyphenidyl, benztropine and procyclidine. There are also physical therapies that can be used to help restore certain movements, like swallowing, as well as decrease slurred speech. Advancements in technology enable patients to use athetoid cerebral palsy therapy devices, such as voice synthesizers, to make speech clearer.

The thoughtful and personal care an individual receives when suffering from the type of cerebral palsy known as athetoid CP, will help to motivate them to work harder and endure physical therapy in order for them to overcome speech and movement disabilities and lead a more normal life. Moral support is a big factor and giving them the encouragement they need is paramount. As people with cerebral palsy continue with their therapy and conductive education, family support and care will give them the chance to live life as normally as possible.

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