What is the primary cause of athetoid cerebral palsy in infants?

Athetoid cerebral palsy, also referred to as dyskinetic cerebral palsy, is primarily caused by damage to the basal ganglia, an area of the brain responsible for coordinating movement. Birth asphyxia is a significant risk factor because it can lead to insufficient oxygen supply to the developing brain during labor and delivery. This lack of oxygen can result in injury to the areas of the brain that regulate motor control, thereby contributing to the development of athetoid movements characterized by involuntary, writhing motions.

In contrast, while genetic mutations can play a role in various neurological disorders, they are not the primary cause of athetoid cerebral palsy. Infections during pregnancy can result in complications, but they typically lead to other forms of cerebral palsy or developmental issues rather than specifically contributing to the dyskinetic type. Premature birth is indeed a risk factor for many neurologic conditions but, when considering athetoid cerebral palsy specifically, it is the instances of birth asphyxia that are closely linked to the movement disorders characteristic of this condition. Thus, the correct focus is on birth asphyxia as the predominant cause of athetoid cerebral palsy in infants.