[Neuromuscular gait disorders in pediatric age]

Alterations in gait are a frequent cause of consultation in neuropaediatric units. They have several different causes. One subgroup of special interest concerns those which have their origin in a neuromuscular disease. We studied the experience of the Child Neurology Unit at the Hospital 12 October from 1980 to 1993.

between 1980 and 1993 a total of 176 were studied because they showed alterations in their gait caused by a neuromuscular disease. Frequency and clinical features were analysed (sex, age at the beginning of the deterioration, duration of the latter etc.).

the alterations in gait were separated into two groups: Group I: backward or non-acquired gait. Group II: deterioration in gait. IIa: temporary. IIb: definitive. The most frequent cause in Group I was spinal muscular atrophy and in Group II, muscular dystrophy linked to sex. To sum up, muscular diseases are far more important than the neuropathic ones, except for Group IIa where acute demyelinating motor polyneuritis was to be found at the top of the list of frequent occurrences.