Long-term outcomes of functional neurological disorder in children

Raper J, Currigan V, Fothergill S, Stone J, Forsyth RJ. Long-term outcomes of functional neurological disorder in children. Arch Dis Child. 2019 Jul 20. pii:archdischild-2018-316519. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-316519. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To establish the incidence and long-term outcomes (up to 21 years) of children presenting to a University hospital paediatric neurology service with symptoms due to functional neurological disorder (FND) with particular reference to occurrence of FND or similar symptoms in adulthood.

METHODS:

Retrospective chart review to determine characteristics of the original paediatric FND presentation plus record-linkage with providers of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Chart review of adult medical records for documentation of functional symptoms in adulthood.

RESULTS:

124 individuals (56% female) met entry criteria. The most common presentations were seizures (18%), sensory loss (18%) and motor symptoms (16%). Frequency gradually increased with age of onset with an incidence in paediatric neurological services of 6 per 100 000 children under 16. In up to 21 years' follow-up (median 8.3 years), 114/124 attained their 16th birthdays by the study census date and were thus eligible for inclusion in an analysis of symptom persistence/recurrence in adulthood. 26/114 (23%) showed evidence of FND in adulthood of sufficient significance to be recorded in medical records.

CONCLUSION:

Paediatric FND is commoner than previous estimates. Even in this selected population of children reaching specialist paediatric neurology services, a high long-term remission rate is observed.

Courtesy of:  https://www.mdlinx.com/journal-summaries/functional-neurological-disorder-adulthood-paediatric/2019/07/23/7573162?spec=neurology