Introduction and Overview Caring for children with movement disorders involves substantial exposure to psychiatric diagnoses. This is especially the case in patients with functional (psychogenic) movement disorders, discussed in Chapter 23 . Subthreshold symptoms as well as overt psychiatric diagnoses…
Introduction The term cerebral palsy ( CP ) has been considered by some to be a nonspecific “wastebasket” and by others a valuable diagnostic tool that provides individuals with greater access to medical care, rehabilitation, educational, and social services. The…
Introduction Sleep is a universal experience; infants spend more than half of their time sleeping and adults about one-third of the day asleep. Sleep is an active process, often accompanied by various movements, some of which are normal, whereas others…
Introduction An autoimmune disorder indicates an acquired process targeting the nervous system involving either autoreactive lymphocytes (T or B cells) or autoantibodies. These disorders are complex, multifactorial entities with potential involvement of underlying genetic vulnerabilities, innate and acquired immune systems,…
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are inherited disorders characterized by abnormalities in enzyme or other cellular proteins involved in metabolism. These are relatively common problems, often possessing both systemic issues and coexisting movement disorders. Approximately one-third of patients with an…
Introduction and Overview This chapter focuses on the clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders known as hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs), emphasizing those that may begin in childhood. The primary feature of these diseases is bilateral leg spasticity when walking. ,…
Introduction and Overview Parkinsonism is a constellation of signs and symptoms that are characteristically observed in Parkinson disease (PD), but that are not necessarily due to PD. Parkinsonism, sometimes referred to as hypokinetic-rigid or akinetic-rigid syndrome, is the primary type of…
Introduction and Overview This chapter encompasses diseases and disorders of the cerebellum and its connections that cause problems coordinating movements. A vast number of conditions adversely affect cerebellar function in children, and thus, a systematic approach to diagnosis is helpful.…
Introduction and Overview Tremor is common in children and adults. Prevalent forms, such as essential tremor (ET), have been well-studied in adults, but in children are less well characterized. , Tremor in children most frequently occurs in the hands, but…
Introduction and Overview This chapter discusses diseases and disorders where myoclonus is a prominent feature or may be prominent in some cases. These include genetically determined as well as acquired conditions. Myoclonic movements are quick muscle jerks, and thus startle/hyperekplexia,…