Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy, also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy, is a subtype of cerebral palsy—a group of non-progressive, permanent disorders that cause activity limitation by affecting the developing motor control circuit. These nonprogressive disturbances result from insults during fetal development or in the infant's brain. Cerebral palsy as a group is the most common cause of childhood disability. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the second most common subtype of cerebral palsy, comprising around 12% to 14% of patients who are affected, the most common being the spastic subtype. Abnormal postures and movements define athetoid cerebral palsy; these abnormalities are due to impaired muscle tone, movement control, and coordination and can be described by detailing the typical movements, such as dystonic, extrapyramidal, choreoathetotic, choreoathetoid, or athetoid cerebral palsy.