Perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com ataxia crônica em um serviço de neurologia infantil

Abstract

Introduction: This study analyzed the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with chronic ataxia at the Child Neurology Service of the Institute of Childcare and Pediatrics Martagão Gesteira (IPPMG). Ataxia is a neurological disorder characterized by motor incoordination, balance impairment, gait, speech and eye movement disorders. In childhood and adolescence, it can be included in a wide etiological range, within genetic, infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, metabolic, and toxic causes. Methodology: it was carried out in a cross-sectional and observational, retrospective study with 30 patients with chronic ataxia, aged between 0 and 18 years, with a median of 10 years. Results: Data analysis showed a gender-balanced sample, with prevalent clinical manifestations of tremor, followed by hypotonia, falls, and dysmetria. Association with cognitive deficit was seen in 63.33% of cases and epilepsy in 50%. Conclusion: the present study demonstrated the clinical characterization of chronic ataxias in a pediatric cohort, contributing to the literature and reinforcing the relevance of the structured diagnostic approach, directed by the clinic and the main etiological hypothesis.