Infantile tremor syndrome in Iraqi Kurdistan

To describe a rare condition that occurred for the first time in Iraqi Kurdistan during the UN Sanctions on Iraq in the nireties. Literature review was made to fine possible causes.

Patients were collected from various sources including private clinics, hospital outpatient clinics and the Centre for Handicapped Children in the city of Arbil. Clinical features and proper history were the main diagnostic tools. Different treatment regimes were used on those patients.

24 patients were collected; the majority was between 6-18 months. Males were more affected than females. Half of the patients were exclusively breast-fed and three quarter have received blood for anemia.

Infantile tremor syndrome is a rare condition which was described both in India and outside India as well. It was observed among children in Iraqi Kurdistan during the difficult economic situation under the UN Sanctions. The condition has the same features inside and outside India. The etiology is not very clear yet.