ATHETOID CEREBRAL PALSY

Individuals afflicted with athetoid cerebral palsy have difficulty controlling movement due to mixed muscle tone which causes coordination difficulties. This particular condition is often associated with other forms of CP and is usually characterised by spastic movements. Victims usually exhibit the major symptoms when they are conscious or wide awake with substantially diminished symptoms when they sleep which indicates that emotional stress plays a large part in the condition.

Athetoid cerebral palsy is believed to be caused by damage to the basal ganglia which is the part of the brain responsible for transmitting signals to the muscles. The basal ganglia is responsible for facilitating controlled movement and coordination and for allowing the maintenance of body posture. A child suffering from basal ganglia damage usually exhibits purposeless and involuntary movements. These uncoordinated movements often affect the child’s face, trunk and arms thereby causing difficulties with speaking, feeding, grasping and other simple movements. Some children with this condition also suffer from Dysarthia which is characterised by difficulties in swallowing, drooling and inaudible speech.

Severe athetoid cerebral palsy can cause immense suffering and whilst most cases are the result of inexplicable naturally occurring phenomena there are a small number of victims whose condition has been caused by medical negligence thereby entitling them to claim compensation and whilst there is not enough money in the world to compensate for this injury it may make life a little easier for the victim.

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