Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy
Published on: November 3, 2016
Pediatric Functional Neurological Disorder: Demographic and Clinical Factors Impacting Care
Ria Pal1, Emira Romero2, Zihuai He1
1Neurology, 6429Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Insights
Functional neurologic disorder (FND) in children and adolescents shows varied presentation and management. Physical exam findings can guide neurodiagnostic workup, reducing unnecessary imaging like CT scans.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Functional neurologic disorder (FND) is increasingly recognized in pediatric populations.
- Variability in diagnosis and treatment necessitates further characterization of this patient group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics of pediatric patients with FND.
- To determine the incidence of abnormal neurodiagnostic findings.
- To explore factors influencing workup and treatment variability.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) based chart review.
- Analysis of 88 patients aged 3-21 years admitted for FND evaluation.
- Correlation of clinical presentation, demographics, and diagnostic results.
Main Results:
- FND patients were 65% female, 40% White, 33% Hispanic, with a median age of 13.9 years.
- CT scans showed limited utility, with 100% normal findings.
- Physical examination reliably predicted abnormal MRI and lumbar puncture (LP) results.
Conclusions:
- Workup for FND can be guided by physical exam findings, potentially reducing reliance on non-diagnostic imaging.
- Screening for adverse childhood experiences is recommended for FND patients.
- Hospitalization offers a potential avenue for psychiatric intervention in FND.
Abstract:
This is a multicenter retrospective EMR-based chart review of 88 patients aged 3-21 years admitted for evaluation of functional neurologic disorder (FND). We sought to establish characteristics associated with FND, calculate incidence of abnormal neurodiagnostic findings, and determine features associated with variability in workup and treatment. FND patients were 65% female, 40% White, 33% Hispanic, and 88% primarily English speaking with median 13.9 years. We detected variability in management by age, ethnicity, psychiatric comorbidity, and hospital site. Our findings suggest limited utility to CTs in this setting (100% normal) and that workup can be safely informed by physical exam, which predicted abnormal MRI and LP results. We favor screening for adverse childhood experiences in FND patients. Hospitalization may be a rare opportunity for psychiatry contact.
More Related Videos
08:26Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
07:20Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
01:28Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:15Parkinson's Disease: Overview