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Acute cerebellar ataxia

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Alternative names   

Cerebellar ataxia; Ataxia - acute cerebellar; Cerebellitis; Acute cerebellar ataxia of childhood

Definition    Return to top

Acute cerebellar ataxia is sudden onset of muscle incoordination (ataxia), often following an infectious viral disease that attacked the brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Acute cerebellar ataxia is most common in children, especially those younger than 3 years old. It often occurs several weeks after a viral illness. Common predisposing infections include chickenpox and coxsackie viral illnesses. In adults, the most common infectious causes are Epstein-Barr virus and mycoplasma infections.

Ataxia may affect movement of the trunk (axial) or limbs. Axial ataxia is characterized by a broad-based unsteady gait (walking style). When the child is sitting, the trunk may deviate side-to-side, back-to-front, or a combination of these movements, returning to the vertical position in a jerky motion. Jerky eye movements (nystagmus) and jerky, explosive speech (dysarthria) may develop at the same time.

Limb ataxia affects the fine motor control of the hands or legs. For example, when reaching for an object, an affected person's hand may sway back and forth.

The condition usually subsides without treatment over a period of weeks to months. Occasionally, a child will retain a persistent movement disorder or behavioral problem.

Symptoms    Return to top

Other suggestive findings:

Signs and tests    Return to top

The diagnosis of acute cerebellar ataxia is made by excluding other causes of ataxia, and by taking a history of a recent illness.

Tests may include:

Treatment    Return to top

No treatment is generally attempted for acute cerebellar ataxia. However, physical therapy may be helpful in improving coordination.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Full recovery usually occurs without treatment within a few months.

Complications    Return to top

Movement or behavioral disorders may (rarely) persist.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

Call your health care provider if any symptoms of ataxia appear.

Update Date: 8/10/2004

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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