CEREBRAL PALSY ATAXIA

ATAXIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Most CP Ataxic shows incoordination of movement, defective balance reactions, hypotonia or a mixed hypotonia and rigidity. In a number of cases, there is a tremor, often an intentional tremor. These children are late in all the motor milestones and when they learn to walk, may do so with a wide gait with stiff, rigid legs, often showing hyperextension of the knees. Their hand movements are uncoordinated and floppy. Following are the common features of children with CP Ataxia

• Imprecise / improper motor skills
• Getting trouble in grasping objects
• Getting trouble while walking and balancing
• Wide based Gait-walking with feet spread far apart / Unsteady gait
• Poor / confusion with depth perception
• Presence of tremors and shakiness
• Trouble bringing hands together
• Slur speech / struggling with speech
• Slow eye movements, Lazy eye, etc

Causes of Cerebral Palsy Ataxia
In this ill-defined group of cases there are some, where the condition is inherited as an autosomal recessive, and two or more in coordinated children occur in one family. In an occasional family, the condition is dominant and the child has the same neurological abnormality as one of his parents. The motor disability may follow a developmental abnormality. Children who survive a repair of an occipital encephalocoele may show a true cerebellar ataxia, as part or whole of the cerebellum may be involved in the defect. Several of these children have hydrocephalus due to a congenital abnormality, perinatal brain damage or later cerebral infection. An abnormal birth with severe neonatal difficulties appears to be a factor in the causation of ataxia, as in other movement defects. Forms of ataxia have followed various forms of meningitis or viral encephalitis.

Early Identification of children with Cerebral Palsy Ataxia
Children later found to be ataxic is likely to be delayed in all milestones of childhood except, if intelligent the apparent ability to understand what is said to them. There may be feeding difficulties and late development of speech and of ability to feed them. Walking, when established, may be infantile and unstable. These cases can easily be mistaken for children who will grow up to be severely subnormal mentally. The general incoordination masks their potential intelligence.

Associated Factors with Cerebral Palsy Ataxia
ICD has observed and manage the following additional problems associated with Ataxic CP
Speech impairment
Hearing Deficits
Visual Problems
Epilepsy / Seizure Disorder
Drooling
Perceptual disorder, etc

Treatments and Management Techniques
All children with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy are treated and managed with the following treatment systems

• Habilitation Therapies
• Use of medicines
• Orthopedic Surgeries
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
• Stem Cell Therapy
• Alternative and Complementary Medicines

Role of Habilitation / Rehabilitation Therapies in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Re-habilitation therapies are the cornerstone treatment of children with Cerebral Palsy. No treatment can be completed without the support of habilitation therapies. Rehabilitation therapy comprises of

• Scientific parenting (Proper handling, transfer and carrying technique)
• Use of Assistive technology- Aids & Appliances ( Postural aids, Mobility aids, Orthotic aids, Adaptive aids, Assistive aids, Visual aids, Hearing aids, Computers, etc)
• Play therapy
• Developmental therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech  therapy
• Special Education
• Behavioral therapy, Counseling, etc

Role of Oral Medicines in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Medications are done to manage the core symptoms and associated problems with CP Ataxia. Few muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety drugs can ease the tremors or shakiness. At the same time co morbid factors such as epilepsy, drooling, etc are also treated with medications

Role of Orthopedic Surgery in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
The role of orthopedic surgery is very limited. Very severe knee hyperextension (Genu Recurvatum) may be helped with orthopedic surgery
 
Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
As CP Ataxia is caused due to damage to the cerebellum, a specific part of the brain. HBOT has been used to treat it with remarkable improvement in motor skills and speech clarity. HBOT should be provided simultaneously with intensive early intervention services to harvest the best from it.
 
Role of Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Stem cell transplants can also help people who have ataxic cerebral palsy, according to the published reports, STC can help in

• Reducing  tremors
• Improving grip
• Improving behavior and cooperation
• Improving balance
• Enhancing ability to walk

Role of Exploratory Therapies in the management of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Parents of children with Ataxic cerebral palsy have reported good results from these therapies so these can be incorporated with standard treatments in the total management program. Hydrotherapy and Hippo therapy have been considered good alternative therapies to encourage spinal / Truncal control and balance. Ayurvedic, Unani, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Hippo-therapy, Homeopathy, Yoga,  etc are being explored all over the world to manage the core symptoms and a few associated disorders

Prognosis and employment opportunities for person / adult with Cerebral Palsy Ataxia
Due to balance and perceptual problem, these children get problem in working in open market but with supervision they can work in any shelter workshops.

If you want to know which treatment or therapies is best suited for your child / ward, please contact us and get free technical support
Mail at: helpicd@gmail.com,  Whatsapp at: +91-7838809241,  Voice Call at: +91-11-41012124 

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