Something is wrong with my 13 yr. old son

[kallemeyn]

My son recently started speaking slowly and slurring his words. Also tripping while walking, messier handwriting than normal and general coordination problems while doing fine motor skills. This came on suddenly about 6-8 weeks ago and seems to be getting worse. Son also notices them and says they are not voluntary. Mild headaches 1-2 times per month. Mild concussion 7 yrs ago - not unconcious.  GP has ordered MRI and blood tests. My questions is what are some of the causes of these symtoms in other children?

Thanks for any advice for his worried parents.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Very sorry to hear about your son's symptoms.  He definitely needs to see a pediatric neurologist ASAP.  In addition to the MRI and blood tests, he should have a spinal tap to make sure there's not an infection that's being missed. It's difficult to try to give a diagnosis based on 3 sentences and without seeing the patient.  But some of these symptoms sound like the onset of spinocerebellar ataxia, a neurodegenerative movement disorder that affects children about 9-13 years old.  Slurred speech and incoordination as well as walking difficulties come on gradually over time but progressively get worse. Other things to consider are problems with the cerebellum, the back part of your brain that controls the smoothness of your movements and speech.  That has to be looked at carefully for tumors, cysts, or any kind of abnormality. Infections of the brain can also cause this.  Probably not related to the concussion. I don't mean to alarm you any further, but this definitely warrants investigation by a neurologist. If things continue to escalate at a faster pace, consider an inpatient workup so that everything can be done in a timely fashion. I wish your son the best of luck.

[kallemeyn]

Thanks to Chiro for advise. No allergies and no injuries to head/neck. Good news is that MRI came back clear with no abnormalities in the cerebellum. After exam, Pediatric Nuerologist prescribed Carbidopa/Levodopa and another exam in one week. She said symptoms were not like Spinal Cerebelar Ataxia, but she did not have any definate answers.

[CoppiQ]

Hi there, I was searching this site for something else and came upon your question and was interested... I have a brother and two sisters who have been diagnosed with a disease called Friedricks Ataxia.  The symptoms that your son is having are somewhat similar to what my siblings experienced when the disease was first detected and in it's early stages - back in 1975ish.  The disease has varying stages and sevarities... I'm not a doctor, but thought you should hear my thoughts.