Neurológia pre prax 1/2009

Differential diagnosis of abnormal head posture in child age

Abnormal head posture is a frequent but nonspecific symptom in children. In young children, in particular, it may be the first manifestation of a serious condition. The causes may vary significantly and the severity may range from benign to very severe, life-threatening conditions. Aetiology differs from that in adult patients and a number of clinical entities are entirely specific to child age. The paper deals with the differential diagnosis of frequent as well as rare clinical entities occurring in child age in which this may be the presenting symptom; they are divided according to the age at which most commonly manifested.

Keywords: abnormal head posture, torticollis, dystonia, pseudodystonia, child age.