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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2020; 18(04): 190-194
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688721
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Subacute-Onset Afferent Ataxia in Childhood: A Case Report

Vanessa Cecchin
1   Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
,
Serena Pellegrin
2   Child Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
,
Lucio Parmeggiani
2   Child Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
,
Lydia Pescollderungg
1   Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
,
Federico Mercolini
1   Department of Pediatrics, Provincial Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
› Institutsangaben Funding None.
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

10. November 2018

24. März 2019

Publikationsdatum:
08. Mai 2019 (online)

    Lizenzen und Reprints

Abstract

Acute or subacute ataxia in young children is rare and, in most cases, the diagnosis of the underlying etiology can be challenging. An extensive number of possible causes must be considered when approaching a child with ataxia. We report the case of a 21-month-old girl with subacute-onset rapidly progressive ataxia, occurring few days after a gastrointestinal infection, without clear reduction of muscle strength in the limbs or other neurological signs. The development of a mild hyporeflexia of the lower limbs, thereafter, led to the suspicion of a Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) that was confirmed by appropriate investigations. This case confirms that a subacute afferent ataxia can be the main clinical symptom of GBS in young children, in whom this disease is rare and the diagnosis more challenging. Attention must be paid to the presence of other neurological signs that can lead to the diagnosis.

Keywords

ataxia - Guillain–Barré syndrome - children
 

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