To provide a comprehensive overview of pediatric parkinsonism, including clinical features, pathophysiology, etiologies, and treatment approaches.
Approach:
Literature Review: A targeted narrative review was conducted using a structured literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE, focusing on studies published within the last 10 years.
Key Findings:
Pediatric parkinsonism (PP) is characterized by bradykinesia, rigidity, and hypotonia, with tremor being less frequent. Additional features include gait disturbances and impaired postural reflexes. In younger children, hypotonia is often a predominant sign.
The condition can arise from various pathophysiological mechanisms, predominantly genetic, with over 70 genes implicated.
A classification system based on age of onset, clinical features, prognosis, and etiology has been proposed, including: Developmental parkinsonism, Infantile degenerative parkinsonism, Parkinsonism in the setting of postnatal neurodevelopmental disorders, Parkinsonism associated with multisystemic brain diseases, Juvenile parkinsonism and dystonia-parkinsonism, and Acquired parkinsonism.
Interpretation:
PP is underrecognized due to its rarity and heterogeneity, which may delay diagnosis and access to therapies.
Limitations:
Limited epidemiological data on the frequency and age distribution of pediatric parkinsonism.
The complexity of clinical features may hinder early diagnosis and access to therapies.
Conclusion:
Timely recognition and intervention in pediatric parkinsonism can lead to significant clinical improvement.
