Which type of cerebral palsy may result in a child having a wide-based gait?

Ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by problems with balance, coordination, and depth perception, which often manifests in a wide-based gait. This type of gait occurs because a child with ataxic cerebral palsy may have difficulty controlling their movements and maintaining stability while walking. The wide base helps provide a larger area of support, reducing the likelihood of falls.

While spastic cerebral palsy can also affect gait, it typically results in a gait that may be more characterized by stiffness and difficulty with coordination rather than a wide base. Athetoid cerebral palsy tends to feature involuntary movements, which can lead to irregular gait patterns, but not necessarily a wide-based stance. Hypotonic cerebral palsy is characterized by decreased muscle tone, which might lead to a more 'floppy' appearance and potential difficulties with stability but does not typically present with a wide-based gait as a primary feature. These distinctions clarify why ataxic cerebral palsy specifically leads to a wide-based gait.