Problem
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood
Nature:
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurological disorder in which repeated, transient attacks of hemiplegia occur and may alternate from one side of the body to the other. The attacks may last for minutes, hours or even days and are normally relieved by sleep. High stress activities have been know to cause attacks as well as the presence of a cold or upper respiratory problems. Children are affected by bright lights, wind, temperature changes and exposure to water. Many attacks occur for no apparent reason. The disease is not fatal nor known to shorten life expectancy. Its cause(s) is unknown and there is no known cure. Incidence:
The number of known children diagnosed with AHC in the United States is less than 100 and worldwide it may be less than 250. Due to misdiagnosis it is difficult to determine how many children actually have AHC. Broader Problems:
Hemiplegia Aggravates:
SeizuresDystoniaMuscular weaknessIntellectual disability Oculomotor abnormalitiesDevelopmental disabilities Subject(s):
Medicine → Locomotive, integumentary systemSociety → Infants
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST