Degenerative diseases lead to eventual loss of body function in the form of pediatric parkinsonism. Pediatric Parkinsonism isn’t the same as an adult form.
Pediatric Parkinsonism: What is it?
When it comes to pediatric parkinsonism, a child has many symptoms, most of which match up with Parkinsonism in children but may not actually have the same condition. Symptoms include tremors, slower movements, balance problems, and falls.
It leads to a breakdown of the body’s motor capabilities, such as difficulties with walking, coordination, and other movement patterns. Young-onset Parkinsonian disease (YOPD) is a distinct disease and is not commonly diagnosed before 20 years old.
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What symptoms are associated with Parkinsonism in children?
Parkinsonism in children manifests as tremors or shaking hands, difficulty standing or walking, stiffness, general slowness, and difficulty maintaining balance and coordination.
Parkinson’s disease patients may get difficulty smiling, talking, and swallowing. Their faces can appear incredibly blank and lack emotion, but people with Parkinson’s usually appear to be feeling things. Occasionally, they can also experience difficulty thinking or remembering things. For this we recommend you to read another article from kidsrush.com which is about: The Palace of memory technique to help children to learn.
Many people suffering from Parkinson’s experience balance problems, causing them to fall and break bones, while some people also feel sad and lose interest in the things that they loved doing.
Pediatric Parkinsonism is usually diagnosed gradually and worsens over time. But because Children usually get through the disease in a relatively healthy manner, most people with it can live a long and productive life. These could be possible symptoms of Pediatric Parkinsonism:
- There are tremors in the arms, legs, and face.
- Slow movement or Bradykinesia.
- Incontinence or constipation
- Depression
- Poor balance or dizziness
- Fatigue (excessive exhaustion)
- Speech impairment
- Instability and lack of coordination
- Swallowing problems
- Slowed blinking
Pediatric Parkinsonism: Diagnosis?
Neurologists will coordinate a testing plan, including a brain scan and blood tests, for those with symptoms of Pediatric Parkinsonism. Care will be taken to assure that the child is not being treated for another condition. Several medical histories and physical exams are required to diagnose Pediatric Parkinsonism.
Pediatric parkinsonism is typically detected by a physical exam. The doctor will review past medication histories as well as observe certain features, such as:
- Falling due to balance issues
- Resting tremor
- The rigidity of limbs
- A slow movement, also known as bradykinesia.
Pediatric parkinsonism can be diagnosed with two of the four features.
To diagnose parkinsonism, doctors may order genetic testing and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Pediatric Parkinsonism: Causes
Within the very deep parts of the brain, some nerve cells aid in movement control, the basal ganglia. People with Parkinsonism have damaged basal ganglia and their movement is impaired.
The body doesn’t get the right messages necessary to move normally, with Parkinson’s disease, dopamine levels are low so it does not receive the right messages from the brain.
Although the brain needs sufficient levels of dopamine to control movement, no one has really identified why neurons that produce dopamine become damaged and die in Child Parkinsonism.
Approximately 20,000-30,000 children are diagnosed with parkinsonism each year, most of them being exposed to toxic medications – including neuro epileptics, antipsychotics, and anti-nausea drugs – between birth and age 5 years.
Pediatric Parkinsonism: Treatment
Some medical experts believe that a person with Parkinsonism’s may be cured within the next few years. Medicine can be used to eliminate or improve the symptoms, such as body trembling.
Parkinsonism patients are given a medication called levodopa, also known as L-dopa, that increases dopamine levels in the body. The medicine has been shown to help patients walk and move around more efficiently.
Some drugs are also used to decrease the symptoms by affecting dopamine levels. Surgery may sometimes be needed to treat these types of problems, in which case the person is given anesthesia to prevent any pain while the surgery’s being done.
Parkinsonism in children can be treated by diagnosing the underlying condition that led to the disorder and adjusting medication accordingly to treat it. People with parkinsonism are also for a medication adjustment.