Balint Syndrome in the Pediatric Population: A Case Report of Three Patients (P02.179)

Abstract

Objective: To discuss occurrence of Balint syndrome in the pediatric population. Background Balint syndrome is a clinical symptom triad of simultagnosia, ocular apraxia and optic ataxia, without occurrence of visual agnosia and with sparing of visual acuity. This occurs secondary to damage of bilateral occipito-parietal regions. This has been described in adults, usually secondary to strokes or tumors. The syndrome is rarely reported in pediatric literature. Design/Methods: Described is a case report of three children seen at a tertiary pediatric hospital, diagnosed with Balint syndrome. Results: Case 1 was a 7 year old male with severe traumatic brain injury, following a motor vehicle accident. Imaging showed damage to the parietal regions, along with minor damage to the cerebellar, frontal and temporal lobes. He showed difficulties in multi-tasking and in maintaining attention, along with the Balint9s symptom triad. He had improvement by 6 months, though he had residual hemiparesis along with memory and attention problems. Case 2 was a 5 year old female with a strong family history of stroke, presenting with new onset seizures. Imaging suggested bilateral parieto-occipital damage, secondary to stroke. However, magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggested a demyelinating disorder. Further workup indicated a mitochondrial disorder. Within a year of presentation, she had significant improvement with resolution of her Balint syndrome. Case 3 was a two and a half year old female who developed herpes encephalitis, resulting in damage to bilateral hippocampi and occipitoparietal regions. Along with the symptom triad, she had marked anterograde amnesia and emotional lability. Her symptoms improved, with only mild deficits in daily living skills one year later. Conclusions: Balint syndrome occurs in children, though the symptom complex may not be easily recognized. Etiologies may vary. In children, resolution is common. Disclosure: Dr. Amin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ehrreich has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kelly has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lebby has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hutchison has nothing to disclose.