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Alternating hemiplegia of childhood: a syndrome inherited with an autosomal dominant trait

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 November 2003

Emmanuel Kanavakis
Affiliation:
1st Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Athina Xaidara
Affiliation:
1st Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Dimitra Papathanasiou-Klontza
Affiliation:
1st Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Alexandros Papadimitriou
Affiliation:
Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Stavroula Velentza
Affiliation:
University of Thrace Medical Department, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Sotiris Youroukos
Affiliation:
1st Department of Paediatrics, Athens University, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Abstract

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of hemiplegia affecting either side of the body, oculomotor and autonomic disturbances, movement disorders, and progressive cognitive impairment. We report on one family with autosomal dominant alternating hemiplegia. The disorder was first recognized in a 9-year-old child, the third son of the family, who presented with learning disability, tonic–clonic seizures, dystonic attacks, and episodes of alternating hemiplegia starting at the age of 2½ years. His mother and three brothers had similar symptoms. The maternal uncle, who has learning disability, had experienced multiple dystonic attacks. Tests performed on the family, including computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain as well as metabolic evaluation, were normal. Cytogenetic analysis was normal and mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed no deletions or mutations in the four affected family members and the grandmother. An autosomal dominant mode of inheritance is suggested by the fact that both sexes are affected in two generations.

Type
Case Report
Copyright
© 2003 Mac Keith Press

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