Update on pediatric dystonias: etiology, epidemiology, and management.

ABSTRACT: Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions producing twisting, repetitive, and patterned movements or abnormal postures. Dystonia is among the most commonly observed movement disorders in clinical practice both in adults and children. It is classified on the basis of etiology, age at onset of symptoms, and distribution of affected body regions.

Etiology

The etiology of pediatric dystonia is quite heterogeneous. There are many different genetic syndromes and several causes of symptomatic syndromes. Dystonia can be secondary to virtually any pathological process that affects the motor system, and particularly the basal ganglia.

Classification

The etiological classification distinguishes primary dystonia with no identifiable exogenous cause or

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Alvarez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6065605 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature