Do not Forget to Measure the Head: Hydrocephalus Can Phenotypically Mimic Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is characterized by impaired motor skills and coordination in children.
• Diagnosing DCD requires ruling out other neurological conditions with similar presentations, such as structural brain abnormalities.
• Conditions like hydrocephalus can mimic DCD, complicating differential diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case where an initial DCD diagnosis was revised after identifying acquired hydrocephalus.
• To emphasize the importance of considering treatable etiologies before diagnosing DCD.
• To highlight the utility of longitudinal head circumference measurements in identifying neurological conditions mimicking DCD.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a patient initially diagnosed with DCD.
• Identification of acquired hydrocephalus as the underlying cause.
• Monitoring of the patient's head circumference, noting secondary macrocephaly.

Main Results:

• The patient's DCD diagnosis was withdrawn upon discovery of acquired hydrocephalus.
• Significant secondary macrocephaly was observed over a 6-year period.
• This case underscores the potential for hydrocephalus to present with DCD-like symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Children presenting with DCD criteria should be evaluated for underlying, treatable neurological conditions.
• Acquired hydrocephalus can mimic DCD, necessitating thorough differential diagnosis.
• Longitudinal monitoring of head circumference is a valuable tool for detecting structural brain abnormalities like hydrocephalus in children with apparent DCD.