What Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is athetoid cerebral palsy and is it serious?
Athetoid cerebral palsy is a form of cerebral palsy in which damage to the basal ganglia causes involuntary, uncontrollable muscle movements. [3] Movements are usually more severe than in other types, daily tasks such as dressing can be difficult, and severe cases can shorten life expectancy. [3] There is no cure, but therapy, medication, devices and nutrition support help manage symptoms. [9]
Key takeaways
Athetoid (dyskinetic) cerebral palsy is the second most common type of CP, affecting an estimated 12-14% of people diagnosed with cerebral palsy. [3]
The defining symptom is involuntary, uncontrollable muscle movement: twisting, writhing, twitching, and repetitive motions. [9]
It is caused by brain injury to the basal ganglia and thalamus, usually around pregnancy, birth, or shortly after birth. [3]
The condition is lifelong but nonprogressive: it does not get worse as a child grows. [3]
There is no cure; treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life through therapy, medications, devices, and nutrition. [9]
Seek a healthcare evaluation if your child shows delayed milestones, abnormal movements, or repeated bending and stretching while lying down. [9]
What the research says
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has not yet been shown to routinely improve quality of life in children with dyskinetic CP. In a prospective multicenter study of 16 children and teens (average age 13.4) with dyskinetic CP that did not respond to medication, the main quality-of-life score (CPCHILD) rose by 4.2 points after 12 months, a change that was not statistically significant (95% CI -1.3 to 9.7; P = 0.125). Some secondary measures improved, including daily-activity performance (+1.1 points, P = 0.02) and the physical health score (+5.1 points, P = 0.028). The authors concluded that evidence is not yet sufficient to recommend DBS as routine treatment. (Koy et al., Mov Disord, 2022) [7]
Adding a second drug to a common first-line medicine did not help more. In a randomized trial of 60 children aged 3-9 years with severe dyskinetic CP (GMFCS levels 4-5), dystonia improved with trihexyphenidyl alone, and adding gabapentin made no significant difference at 4 or 12 weeks. Constipation was the most common side effect in both groups. (Kumar et al., Indian J Pediatr, 2023) [8]
What Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy?
Athetoid cerebral palsy is a movement condition that causes involuntary and uncontrollable muscle movements, a pattern known medically as dyskinesia. [1] [6] It is the second most common type of cerebral palsy. [4]
Cerebral palsy itself is a neurological condition, one that affects the brain and nerves and leads to problems with movement and coordination. [5] Athetoid cerebral palsy affects movement more severely than other types, and in some cases it may lead to a shortened life expectancy. [3]
You may also hear this condition called dyskinetic cerebral palsy. [1] The two names refer to the same diagnosis.
How Common Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy?
Around the world, an estimated 1.5 to 2.5 out of every 1,000 children born receive a cerebral palsy diagnosis. [3] Approximately 12% to 14% of people with cerebral palsy have the athetoid type, which works out to roughly 1.8 to 3.5 per 10,000 live births. [3]
Statistic | Number |
Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy worldwide | 1.5 to 2.5 per 1,000 births |
Share of CP cases that are athetoid (dyskinetic) | About 12% to 14% |
Athetoid CP in the general population | About 1.8 to 3.5 per 10,000 births |
What Are the Symptoms of Athetoid Cerebral Palsy?
The defining feature of this condition is involuntary movement. People with athetoid cerebral palsy experience movements they cannot control, including twisting and turning, squirming or writhing, twitching or sudden jerks, and repeated motions. [3]
These involuntary movements can cause several downstream effects: pain, poor posture, drooling, and a lack of coordination. [9]
What do the movements look like?
Doctors describe the patterns of involuntary athetoid movement using three specific medical terms. [9]
Medical term | What the movement looks like |
Dystonia | Twisting movements |
Chorea | Dance-like, fast, and repetitive motions |
Athetosis | Slow, writhing movements |
Signs to watch for in children
Signs of athetoid cerebral palsy in children may include repeatedly bending and stretching their arms and legs when lying on their back, delayed developmental milestones such as walking or crawling (see our guide to developmental delay in children), and frequently twisting and turning, especially turning the head. [9]
What Causes Athetoid Cerebral Palsy?
Athetoid cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury that affects the basal ganglia and thalamus, structures located deep within the middle of the brain. [4] The basal ganglia transmits messages between the parts of the brain that regulate movement and the spinal cord. [9] When this relay is damaged, movement signals go awry, producing involuntary motions.
The injury typically happens during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth. [1] Certain events raise the risk.
Timing | Event that can injure the basal ganglia |
During pregnancy or birth | Hemorrhage (bleeding) in the brain |
During pregnancy or birth | Stroke |
Around birth | Lack of blood or oxygen to the brain (perinatal asphyxia) |
Shortly after birth | Too much bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia, leading to kernicterus) |
What Are the Risk Factors?
Risk factors fall into two groups: those affecting the pregnancy, and those affecting the baby directly.
Who | Risk factor |
Parent (during pregnancy) | Pregnancy complications, such as uterine rupture |
Parent (during pregnancy) | Multiples in the uterus (twins, triplets) |
Parent (during pregnancy) | Infertility treatments |
Parent (during pregnancy) | Chemical exposure, such as methylmercury found in some seafood |
Baby | Low birth weight |
Baby | Jaundice |
Baby | Infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
What Are the Complications?
Athetoid cerebral palsy can lead to a range of complications, and some of them can be life-threatening. [9]
Complication | Description |
Cognitive development problems | Including intellectual disability |
Seizure disorder | |
Speech and language difficulties | Challenges communicating and understanding language |
Hearing or vision loss | Sensory impairment |
Orthopedic malformations | Bone and musculoskeletal conditions |
Sleep disorders | Disrupted or insufficient sleep |
Mental health conditions | Such as depression |
Underweight | Weighing less than expected for size and age, because involuntary movements burn more energy than the child can consume |
Aspiration | Can lead to respiratory failure |
How Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?
Healthcare providers diagnose cerebral palsy during childhood, after a physical exam and testing. The provider will ask you, as the caregiver, about the signs you have noticed, the symptoms your child experiences, and whether your child is meeting developmental milestones for their age. During the exam, they also review your child's motor skills and coordination. [6]
Diagnostic tool | What it does |
Physical exam | Assesses motor skills, coordination, movement patterns, and milestone progress |
Caregiver history | Documents noticed signs, symptoms, and milestones |
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) | Images the brain to look for areas of damage |
Blood tests | Help rule out other conditions with similar symptoms |
How Is Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Treated?
Treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving your child's quality of life. [3] Because there is no cure, managing the condition is a lifelong process, though the good news is that the condition itself does not progress. [3] [5]
Treatment option | What it involves |
Therapy | Physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy |
Braces and assistive devices | Including wheelchairs and limb supports |
Nutrition support | Diet changes to ensure adequate nutrition |
Oral medications | See medication table below |
Botulinum toxin injections | Targeted injections to relax overactive muscles |
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) | Implanted device that stimulates deep brain areas |
Intrathecal baclofen therapy (IBT) | Pump that delivers muscle-relaxing medication near the spinal cord |
Surgery | For select cases |
A healthcare provider will help you understand which options are best for your child so you can make an informed decision about their care.
What medications are used?
Common medications for athetoid cerebral palsy include, but are not limited to, baclofen, trihexyphenidyl, levodopa, diazepam, tetrabenazine, and carbamazepine. [3]
Medication class example | Primary purpose |
Baclofen; diazepam | Relax muscles and reduce spasticity |
Trihexyphenidyl | Reduce involuntary movements |
Levodopa | Support dopamine-related movement control |
Tetrabenazine | Calm involuntary movements |
Carbamazepine | Manage nerve-related symptoms |
Are there side effects?
Every treatment carries possible side effects, and your child's provider will explain them before treatment begins. Common side effects of athetoid cerebral palsy medications include worsening symptoms, drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness, and nausea. [9]
What Is the Outlook?
There is no cure for athetoid cerebral palsy. [5] It is a lifelong condition, but it is nonprogressive, meaning it does not get worse as your child gets older. [1] [6]
Because involuntary movements are usually more severe than in other types of cerebral palsy, the condition can affect how a child navigates daily routines, such as brushing hair or getting dressed. [3] Treatment helps children manage symptoms and live comfortably, and some may need an assistive device such as a wheelchair to move around the world. [9]
Weight deserves special attention. Children with athetoid cerebral palsy may be underweight because involuntary movements burn more energy than they can take in through food. [3] Providers monitor weight and feeding habits to make sure nutrition stays adequate. [9]
What about life expectancy?
Life expectancy varies based on how the condition affects each individual, since severity differs from person to person. Severe symptoms and complications can cause a shortened life. [3] On average, lifespan tends to be shorter with athetoid cerebral palsy compared to other types, such as spastic cerebral palsy. [3]
Can Athetoid Cerebral Palsy Be Prevented?
There is no known way to prevent all cases of athetoid cerebral palsy. However, you can reduce your risk of having a child with cerebral palsy by attending routine checkups with your healthcare or pregnancy care provider throughout pregnancy. [9] They can advise you on how to keep yourself and the fetus healthy and safe.
Living With Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
When should I see a healthcare provider?
Visit a healthcare provider if you notice signs of athetoid cerebral palsy in your child, such as delayed developmental milestones or abnormal body movements. [9] If you or your child has cerebral palsy and experiences new or worsening symptoms, or side effects from treatment, talk to a provider right away.
Questions to ask your provider
Come prepared to ask what type of treatment is recommended, whether there are side effects, whether your child's diet should change to ensure adequate nutrition, how severe the symptoms are, what complications to watch for, and which assistive devices would help.
Conclusion
Athetoid cerebral palsy is a lifelong, nonprogressive movement condition caused by damage to the brain's movement-control centers. [3] Its involuntary twisting, writhing, and jerking movements make it one of the more severe forms of cerebral palsy, but with the right support, children and adults can live comfortably. A coordinated care team combining physical, occupational, and speech therapy, assistive devices, nutrition management, medications, and sometimes advanced treatments like deep brain stimulation can dramatically improve daily life. If you notice delayed milestones or unusual movements in your child, early evaluation is the most important first step: the sooner care begins, the more your child's potential can be supported.
Take the next step in understanding your health. For families managing neurological conditions, clear visual guides help caregivers remember therapy exercises, warning signs, and daily care routines. Rinnit's library of health infographic templates can help you create simple, shareable visuals for your family's care journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between athetoid and dyskinetic cerebral palsy?
There is no difference. Athetoid cerebral palsy and dyskinetic cerebral palsy are two names for the same condition: the movement disorder caused by damage to the basal ganglia. [3]
What does athetoid cerebral palsy look like?
The hallmark is involuntary, uncontrollable movement: twisting and turning, squirming or writhing, twitching or sudden jerks, and repeated motions. [3] In babies, watch for repeatedly bending and stretching the arms and legs while lying on the back, delayed milestones like crawling or walking, and frequent head turning. [9]
Is athetoid cerebral palsy worse than other types?
Athetoid cerebral palsy tends to be more severe in terms of movement involvement. [3] Involuntary movements are usually more pronounced than in other cerebral palsy types, and average lifespan tends to be shorter than with spastic cerebral palsy, though severity varies widely from person to person. [3]
Does athetoid cerebral palsy get worse over time?
No. It is a nonprogressive condition: the brain injury does not worsen as a child grows. [3] However, the daily challenges of managing symptoms are lifelong.
Can a child with athetoid cerebral palsy talk?
Speech is often affected. Speech and language difficulties are a common complication, and speech therapy is one of the standard treatments to help communication. [3] [5]
What medications treat athetoid cerebral palsy?
Common options include baclofen, trihexyphenidyl, levodopa, diazepam, tetrabenazine, and carbamazepine. [3] Each has potential side effects, including drowsiness, headache, and muscle weakness, which a provider will discuss before starting treatment. [9]
What is deep brain stimulation for athetoid CP?
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment where an implanted device sends electrical signals to specific deep-brain areas to help calm involuntary movements. Other advanced options include botulinum toxin injections, intrathecal baclofen therapy, and surgery. [3] [5]
Why are children with athetoid CP often underweight?
Involuntary muscle movements constantly burn energy, often more than the child can consume through eating. [3] Providers monitor weight and feeding habits and may recommend diet changes to ensure adequate nutrition. [9]
What causes athetoid cerebral palsy?
Damage to the basal ganglia and thalamus, deep in the middle of the brain. [3] The injury usually occurs during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth, from hemorrhage, stroke, oxygen loss (perinatal asphyxia), or dangerously high bilirubin levels (kernicterus). [3]
Can athetoid cerebral palsy be prevented?
Not entirely. There is no known way to prevent all cases. Attending routine prenatal checkups helps reduce risk by keeping both the pregnant parent and the fetus healthy. [9]
Related Reading
Cerebral Palsy: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Explained
Developmental Delay in Children: Signs, Types, Causes, and What Early Intervention Can Do
Kernicterus: Understanding the Risks of Severe Newborn Jaundice
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Cerebral Palsy
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Cerebral Palsy
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Cerebral Palsy. CDC Cerebral Palsy (CP). Last updated June 12, 2026. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/cerebral-palsy/about/index.html
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Cerebral Palsy. NICHD Health Topics. Last reviewed May 11, 2021. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cerebral-palsy
Li X, Arya K. Athetoid cerebral palsy. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Sep 26. PMID 33085307. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563160/
Monbaliu E, Himmelmann K, Lin JP, et al. Clinical presentation and management of dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Lancet Neurol. 2017;16(9):741-749. PMID 28816119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30252-1
National Library of Medicine. Cerebral Palsy. MedlinePlus. Last updated November 23, 2025. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/cerebralpalsy.html
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Cerebral Palsy. NINDS Health Information. Last reviewed March 13, 2026. Accessed October 15, 2026. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-palsy
Koy A, Kühn AA, Huebl J, et al. Quality of life after deep brain stimulation of pediatric patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study with a subsequent randomized double-blind crossover (STIM-CP). Mov Disord. 2022;37(4):799-811. PMID 34967053. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28898
Kumar S, Shankar Kaushik J, Verma S, et al. Gabapentin as add-on therapy to trihexyphenidyl in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized, controlled trial. Indian J Pediatr. 2023;90(9):873-879. PMID 35867274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-022-04265-2
Cleveland Clinic. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types. Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated August 16, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25198-athetoid-cerebral-palsy
Medical disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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