what are athetoid cerebral palsy?
Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Understanding, Characteristics, and Management Athetoid cerebral palsy , also known as dyskinetic cerebral palsy , is a subtype of cerebral palsy (CP) characterized by involuntary, writhing movements that predominantly affect the face, hands, and feet. Unlike the more common spastic form, athetoid CP involves fluctuating muscle tone—alternating between hypertonia (rigidity) and hypotonia (floppiness)—which can make voluntary movement and posture control especially challenging. 📌 What Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy? Definition : Athetoid CP is a form of cerebral palsy marked by slow, involuntary writhing motions (athetoid movements) combined with periods of involuntary postures or rigidity. Also called : Dyskinetic CP (the umbrella term for athetoid, choreoathetoid, and dystonic variants). 🔍 Causes & Pathophysiology Perinatal Hypoxic–Ischemic Injury Oxygen deprivation around birth can damage the basal ganglia and thalamus , the brain regions...