Pediatric Functional Movement Disorders: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Movement Disorders
• Child Psychiatry

Background:

• Functional movement disorders (FMDs) present diagnostic and management challenges in children.
• Understanding the interplay of socioeconomic, cultural, and psychopathological factors is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing FMDs in children.
• To explore the underlying psychopathology and phenomenology of FMDs in a pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 39 children diagnosed with FMDs.
• Data collected included demographics, socioeconomic/cultural background, and clinical presentation.
• Diagnosis confirmed using Fahn and Williams criteria.

Main Results:

• Mean age at onset was 12.69 years; most patients were from urban (56.41%) and low socioeconomic backgrounds (46.15%).
• Myoclonus (30.76%) was the most common symptom, followed by tremor (20.51%) and dystonia (17.94%).
• Precipitating factors were identified in 76.92% of cases; gender differences observed in symptom prevalence.

Conclusions:

• FMD symptoms significantly impact children's mental health and daily functioning.
• Identifying precipitating factors and psychiatric comorbidities is essential for effective management.
• Early intervention involving parents and child psychiatrists improves outcomes for pediatric FMD patients.