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Published on: September 12, 2020
Status Dystonicus with Atypical Presentation in Developmentally Delay Child: A Case Report
Shailendra Kumar Yadav1, Pratibha Yadav2, Gyabina Maharjan3
1Department of Pediatrics, Ishan Children and Women's Hospital, Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Status dystonicus, a rare movement disorder, involves sustained muscle contractions causing abnormal postures. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications in children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Status dystonicus is a rare, life-threatening movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions, abnormal postures, and repetitive movements.
- Early diagnosis and prompt management are critical to prevent severe complications.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old girl with a history of developmental delay presented with generalized body contractions and limb tightening, uniquely aggravated by touch.
- The dystonia was accompanied by severe sweating and initially misdiagnosed as a seizure event.
Findings:
- The patient received a combination of medications including midazolam, clonidine, phenytoin, gabapentin, pyridoxine, baclofen, and trihexyphenidyl.
- Treatment led to partial recovery after 10 days, with intensive care unit monitoring.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of status dystonicus in children.
- Prompt and comprehensive treatment, even in complex cases, can lead to partial recovery and improved outcomes.
Abstract:
Status dystonicus is characterised by involuntary sustained or intermittent muscle contractions of muscles causing repetitive twisting movements, abnormal postures of the body, or both is a rare but life-threatening movement disorder. Early diagnosis and management of status dystonicus prevent serious complications. We report a 2 years old previously developmental delay diagnosed girl who presented with generalised contractions of the whole body. Tightening of limbs is aggravated by touching her backside which is a very unique feature. Dystonia is associated with severe sweating and was confused with a seizure event. The patient was treated with midazolam, clonidine, phenytoin, gabapentin, pyridoxine, baclofen, and trihexyphenidyl. She was admitted to the intensive care unit for monitoring. The patient partially recovered after 10 days of treatment.
Keywords:
aspiration; children; dystonia; epilepsy; pneumonia.
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