clinical features of choreoathetoid cerebral palsy

Last reviewed 01/2018

This condition is characterised by involuntary movements, usually chorea, athetosis and dystonia of the limbs, trunk, face and bulbar muscles.

The onset of this condition is delayed for some months after birth. Initially there is hypotonia, then active reflexes in infancy developing to choreoathetosis in childhood. The severity of the choreoathetosis can vary from mild incoordinate movements to constant writhing movements resulting in complete helplessness.

Intellect may be normal but communication may be difficult because of marked dysarthria, and in the case of kernicterus, deafness.