Ataxia in children in the practice of a paramedic

Abstract

The term ataxia includes impaired coordination and balance, and a lack of muscle control over intended movements. The most common signs and symptoms of cerebellar ataxia are ataxic gait (shaky, broad-based), movement disorders resulting from lack of proper muscular coordination, dysmetria, movement decomposition, intention tremor, and dysdiadachokinesia (disorder of alternating movements). Clinical symptoms vary depending on the damaged element: cerebellar hemisphere, cerebellar vermis, damage to the deep sensory pathways or damage to the cerebellar-frontal tracts and frontal centers. The most common causes of acute ataxia in children are drug overdoses, poisoning, and post-infectious cerebellitis. It is worth remembering that many causes of ataxia are metabolic and immunological. There are acute ataxias, intermittent and recurrent ataxias, chronic progressive and non-progressive ataxias. It should be remembered that each child with acute ataxia requires diagnosis and hospitalization. It is necessary to conduct a detailed interview regarding the time and circumstances of the onset of ataxia, accompanying symptoms, continuously and temporarily taken medications, possible previous episodes of these the symptoms themselves and the current state of health.