Acute Ataxia in Childhood Clinical Presentation, Etiology, and Prognosis of Single-Center Experience

Background Acute ataxia is a common reason for presentation to the pediatric emergency department and the pediatric neurology clinic in childhood. Its incidence is between 1/100,000 and 1/500,000. Its most common reason is infections. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, etiological factors, and prognosis of patients presenting to our regional tertiary pediatric neurology clinic with a diagnosis of acute ataxia. Methods An evaluation was made of patients younger than 18 years diagnosed with acute ataxia in our tertiary pediatric neurology clinic between 2009 and 2016. Results Thirty-nine children were included in the analysis. Sex, age, diagnoses, treatment options, and clinical and radiological findings were evaluated. Acute postinfectious cerebellar ataxia was the most common diagnosis (21/39 [51.2%]). No agent could be identified in viral serological examination in 34 patients (87.2%). Rotavirus was identified in 2 (10.5%) of the acute postinfectious cerebellar ataxia cases, and varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus, and hepatitis A positivities were each identified in 1 case. In 20 (51.2%) of 39 patients, varying treatments were applied according to the primary etiology. Conclusions Acute ataxia is a significant neurological problem in childhood. In this study, Rotavirus was the most common infectious agent. It may be related to vaccination. This study can be considered of value as the most comprehensive study conducted to date on this subject in the eastern region of Turkey.