What is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a type of cerebral palsy or neurological disorder characterized by problems with balance, coordination, and precise muscle movement. 

It results from damage to the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for controlling movement and coordination.

This form is the least common type  of cerebral palsy, accounting for about 5-10% of all cases.

What Defines Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Some signs or symptoms of ataxic cerebral palsy include the following: 

• Balance and Coordination Issues. Individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy often have difficulty maintaining balance, especially when walking or standing. They may also have problems with coordination, making tasks requiring fine motor skills (like writing or buttoning a shirt) challenging.
• Tremors. They have involuntary shaking or tremors, particularly during intentional movements (called intention tremors).
• Imprecise Movements. They may have trouble with tasks requiring accuracy, such as reaching for objects or using utensils.
• Hypotonia. This is the term for decreased muscle tone, which can lead to floppy or loose muscles.
• Wide-Based Gait. They may walk with their feet spread farther apart (scissor legs baby) than usual and have poor balance.
• Speech Difficulties. They may have slurred or uneven speech patterns (dysarthria) due to poor muscle coordination.

What Causes Ataxic Cerebral Palsy?

Ataxic cerebral palsy occurs due to damage to the cerebellum during brain development, which can happen before birth due to genetic mutations, infections, or lack of oxygen (hypoxia), during birth from complications such as prolonged labor or oxygen deprivation, or after birth from brain infections, traumatic injuries, or other health conditions.

How is Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves physical and neurological examinations, imaging tests like MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)or CT scans to identify brain abnormalities, and developmental assessments to evaluate motor skills and coordination.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Management and Treatment

While there is no cure for ataxic cerebral palsy, various therapies and interventions can improve quality of life. 

For instance, physical therapy enhances strength, balance, and coordination, while occupational therapy focuses on improving everyday life skills.

Speech therapy can help address speech and swallowing difficulties.

Medications may help manage tremors or muscle tone issues and assistive devices such as braces, walkers, or wheelchairs can aid mobility.

If your child has ataxic cerebral palsy, a personalized treatment plan created with health care professionals and occupational therapist can be highly beneficial.

Causes and Risk Factors for Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum during early brain development, which can occur before, during, or after birth.

Prenatal Causes (Before Birth) of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy  

Prenatal causes of ataxic cerebral palsy include genetic mutations or errors in genes that affect brain development and infections in the mother such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), or zika virus, which can harm fetal brain development and brain malformations.

Maternal exposure to alcohol, drugs, or environmental toxins during pregnancy can also play a role.

Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) or reduced oxygen supply to the fetus caused by placental insufficiency or maternal health conditions.

Structural malformations of the cerebellum during fetal development may also lead to ataxic cerebral palsy.

Perinatal Causes (During Birth) of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Complications like prolonged labor, umbilical cord prolapse, or placental abruption can result in birth asphyxia or oxygen deprivation that can lead to this condition. .

Premature birth may mean increased vulnerability to brain injury or underdeveloped brain structures.

Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction or other complications during labor or trauma during delivery may also lead to ataxic cerebral palsy.

Postnatal Causes (After Birth) of Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

This form of cerebral palsy may be due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from falls, accidents, or abuse during infancy.

Brain infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, can damage the cerebellum.

Strokes caused by blood clots or bleeding in the brain can cause similar damage.

Severe jaundice or kernicterus (a rare complication of untreated jaundice) can lead to brain damage (leading to cerebral palsy) in newborns as well. 

Oxygen deprivation from near-drowning, choking, or other respiratory emergencies can also be a cause.

Risk Factors for Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing ataxic cerebral palsy, including infections during pregnancy, poor prenatal care or maternal malnutrition, exposure to harmful substances like drugs or alcohol, and a history of complicated or high-risk pregnancies.

Premature birth (babies born before 37 weeks gestation), low birth weight (especially under 5.5 pounds), and birth complications like prolonged or difficult labor may be a factor, as are multiple births (twins, triplets, or more.), as these babies are more likely to be premature or low-weight.

Severe illness or injury in infancy, inadequate treatment of newborn jaundice, and poor access to healthcare or vaccinations, increasing the risk of infections like meningitis.

Our Law Firm’s Experience with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Settlements

We’re a Chicago cerebral palsy law firm specializing in medical malpractice with extensive experience representing clients in cerebral palsy malpractice, including ataxic cerebral palsy and spastic cerebral palsy. 

We have successfully litigated numerous cases where patients suffered harm due to cerebral palsy malpractice, successfully securing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Our expertise in this area often involves collaborating with medical experts to uncover negligence and advocate for their clients’ rights. 

We focus on clients in Chicago, Illinois, and the surrounding areas. 

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Common Questions and Answers

1. What is ataxic cerebral palsy? 

Ataxic cerebral palsy is a neurological condition caused by damage to the cerebellum, resulting in problems with balance, coordination, and precise movements.

2. What are the risk factors for ataxic cerebral palsy?

Risk factors for ataxic cerebral palsy include premature birth, low birth weight, maternal infections during pregnancy, birth complications, traumatic brain injury, fetal stroke, and certain genetic conditions.

3. Is ataxic cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is typically caused by brain damage to the cerebellum during development, which can occur before, during, or after birth. 

While it is not always caused by medical malpractice, errors such as birth asphyxia or failure to properly manage prenatal complications can increase the risk of cerebral palsy, including the ataxic form.

4. Can ataxic cerebral palsy be caused by doctors?

Yes, ataxic cerebral palsy can be caused by doctors if medical negligence occurs during pregnancy, delivery, or newborn care. 

For example, failing to address fetal distress, delaying a necessary cesarean section, or improperly using delivery tools can result in brain injuries that lead to cerebral palsy.

That said, not all cases or types of cerebral palsy are due to medical error or negligence. Some arise from natural complications or factors beyond a doctor’s control.

5. Can you sue if your child has ataxic cerebral palsy?

Yes, you can sue if your child’s ataxic cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum care. 

To have a valid ataxic cerebral palsy malpractice case, you must prove that a healthcare provider’s actions or inaction breached the standard of care and directly caused the condition. A successful lawsuit can provide compensation for medical expenses, therapy, and other long-term needs.

6. Will a confirmation of ataxic cerebral palsy automatically lead to a valid legal claim against the health care provider?

A confirmation or diagnosis of ataxic cerebral palsy alone may not automatically lead to a valid legal claim against the healthcare provider, as it requires demonstrating that the condition resulted from the healthcare provider’s negligence or improper medical care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. 

However, a confirmed diagnosis of ataxic cerebral palsy can be a critical piece of evidence in building a malpractice case if there is evidence of negligence contributing to the child’s condition.

7. What are the long term impacts of ataxic cerebral palsy?

The long-term impacts of ataxic cerebral palsy can include persistent challenges with balance, coordination, and fine motor skills, making precise finger movements and activities like walking, writing, or dressing difficult. Individuals with ataxic cerebral palsy may also experience speech difficulties, tremors, varying degrees of cognitive impairment, and balance and depth perception disorders, though intellectual abilities are often unaffected.

8.  If my child dies as a result of ataxic cerebral palsy, will the malpractice claim die as well?

If a child dies as a result of ataxic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, a malpractice claim may still proceed as a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the child’s estate and surviving family members, depending on the circumstances and applicable laws.

9. Does the state of Illinois apply any limits on damages related to an ataxic cerebral palsy diagnosis?

Illinois does not have statutory limits or caps on cerebral palsy-related damages, meaning there is no cap on the amount of compensation that can be awarded for economic or non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. 

However, it’s essential to consult with a legal professional or check for any updates in the law prior to making a claim for malpractice related to ataxic cerebral palsy, as regulations can change over time.

10. How much compensation can I receive in a ataxic cerebral palsy lawsuit?

The amount of compensation you can receive for an ataxic cerebral palsy claim in Illinois and elsewhere varies widely depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, the long-term impact on the child and family, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. 

Settlements or jury awards can range from thousands to millions of dollars. Consulting with a qualified attorney who specializes in birth injury claims in your area can give you a better estimate based on the unique circumstances of your case.

11. What should you do if you think your child has ataxic cerebral palsy?

If you think your child has ataxic cerebral palsy, consult a pediatrician or specialist to evaluate their development and confirm a diagnosis through tests like MRIs or developmental assessments. Early intervention with therapies such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy can significantly improve your child’s abilities. 

If you suspect a healthcare provider’s negligence caused the condition, consider consulting a birth injury attorney to explore your legal options.

12. How do you prove a birth injury resulting in ataxic cerebral palsy occurred?

To prove a birth injury happened due to malpractice or negligence, you must show that a healthcare provider breached the standard of care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or neonatal care. 

This involves presenting medical records, expert testimony, and evidence of actions (or inactions) that led to preventable complications, such as oxygen deprivation or trauma during birth. 

Additionally, it must be proven that this negligence directly caused the brain injury that resulted in ataxic cerebral palsy that have been diagnosed. Expert witnesses are often critical in establishing both the breach and causation.

13. Can you file a malpractice claim for ataxic cerebral palsy?

Yes, you can file a medical malpractice claim for ataxic hemiplegic cerebral palsy if you believe that it was due to a healthcare provider’s negligence or errors during prenatal care, labor, or delivery. Filing a claim allows you to seek compensation for the damages incurred as a result, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. 

It’s advisable to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in cerebral palsy cases in your area to understand your legal rights and options for pursuing a claim.

Find Out If You Have an Ataxic Cerebral Palsy Claim In Chicago, Illinois

Do you think you have a malpractice case due to an ataxic cerebral palsy diagnosis that occurred in Illinois?

If you are located in Chicago or the surrounding areas, contact the experienced Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a free case evaluation today.