[Acute onset ataxia in infancy: its aetiology, treatment and follow-up]

Abstract

Introduction: Acute childhood ataxia is a cause of referency to the pediatric emergency room. AIM. To characterize the etiology, clinical picture, management, and outcome of acute ataxia in our hospital.

Patients and methods: A prospective study was undertaken including 39 children with acute ataxia who were admitted between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2003.

Results: During the study period 159,002 episodes were evaluated, 39 children (0.024%) with acute ataxia. The most common diagnoses were post-infectious ataxia (51.2%) and toxic exposure (25.6%). The mean age at presentation in post-infectious ataxia was 55 +/- 27.61 months, 60% females. A prodromal febrile illness was noted in 95%: varicella (10), nonspecific viral infection (6), mycoplasma, enterovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. The latency from the prodromal illness to the onset of ataxia was 5.86 +/- 3.78 days. Lumbar punctures were altered in 11/17. All computed tomography scans performed were normal. At follow up, one boy presented asymmetric signs of cerebellar dysfunction secondary to hemicerebellitis. The media of the patient who showed full-gait recovery was 18 days, and was complete in all children, except one boy who presented hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Toxic ingestion was the second most common cause. Boys less than 6 years were more commonly affected.

Conclusions: Acute childhood ataxia are an uncommon cause of presentation to our pediatric emergency room. Postinfectious ataxia and drug ingestion are the most common diagnosis, with a usually benign and self-limited process. A thorough history and neurology examination should be guided to etiology. Neuroimaging studies and hospitalization are needed only if atypical presentation, asymmetric neurologic examination and prolonged ataxia.