Tremor in children

Mohammad K Uddin1, Robert L Rodnitzky

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

Insights

Childhood tremors, present from birth, are common. This review details pediatric tremor causes, symptoms, and treatments, comparing them to adult conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Tremor is a frequent condition in children, often starting in the neonatal period.
  • While some childhood tremors overlap with adult conditions like essential tremor, others are unique to pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the etiology, clinical features, and treatment of major pediatric tremor syndromes.
  • To compare childhood tremor disorders with their adult counterparts where applicable.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of pediatric tremor syndromes.
  • Analysis of etiological factors, clinical presentations, and therapeutic strategies.
  • Comparative analysis with adult tremor disorders.

Main Results:

  • Identified common and exclusive tremor types in children, including essential tremor, shuddering, jitteriness, spasmus nutans, and vitamin B12-deficiency tremor.
  • Detailed the distinct clinical features and etiological underpinnings of each syndrome.
  • Outlined current treatment approaches for pediatric tremors.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric tremors encompass a range of disorders, some shared with adults and others specific to childhood.
  • Comprehensive understanding of these syndromes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management in children.

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