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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Sudden falls in a teenager
Answered by
Joanna Fong, MD - Stroke/NICU, multiple sclerosis, sleep, EEG, General Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland - OH
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Sudden falls in a teenager
by Parousia, Nov 21, 2007 08:35AM
My 14 yr old son has suddenly started falling. He just collapses when walking from one room to another, without any warning whatsoever. This began on Monday morning (3 days ago), and is happening several times a day. He also has to sit down very quickly sometimes, because he suddenly feels week. He has slightly diminished feeling on the outside of both feet, and both legs appear to be equally weak.
About 3 weeks ago he started complaining of muscle fatigue, struggling even to open a pen for a few seconds at school. It bothered him enough that I took him to the doctor, who thought it was probably a post-viral fatigue.
Last week (Monday) he went on a school camp. He developed diarrhoea and I was asked to fetch him from the camp on Thursday. I don't know if this has anything to do with the muscle weakness though.
I have also had to ask him several times over the last few weeks to repeat things he has told me, and to enunciate more clearly, because his speech was unintelligible. This has been an intermittent problem though.
My doctor is at a loss to diagnose my son. I have taken him for some basic blood work, and I'm waiting for the results of those tests.
I am very worried about this. Can you give me any idea as to what might be causing this problem? I would appreciate any input you can give me.
About 3 weeks ago he started complaining of muscle fatigue, struggling even to open a pen for a few seconds at school. It bothered him enough that I took him to the doctor, who thought it was probably a post-viral fatigue.
Last week (Monday) he went on a school camp. He developed diarrhoea and I was asked to fetch him from the camp on Thursday. I don't know if this has anything to do with the muscle weakness though.
I have also had to ask him several times over the last few weeks to repeat things he has told me, and to enunciate more clearly, because his speech was unintelligible. This has been an intermittent problem though.
My doctor is at a loss to diagnose my son. I have taken him for some basic blood work, and I'm waiting for the results of those tests.
I am very worried about this. Can you give me any idea as to what might be causing this problem? I would appreciate any input you can give me.
Doctor's Answer
by Joanna Fong, MD, Nov 29, 2007 12:23PM
, Nov 29, 2007 12:23PM
To: Parousia
Hi Parousia,
Drop attacks with muscle weakness can be due to several things:
0) Demyelination (such as ADEM, multiple sclerosis)
1) Myopathy or myositis
1) Spinal cord diseases
2) Seizure
3) Syncope
4) Narcolepsy
To help to differentiate the possible diagnosis, your son should probably be seen by a pediatric neurologist as soon as possible. From the symptoms you described, it is possible post-viral demyelinating disease or myositis/myopathy. Diagnostic methods varies, but typically include: MRI brain with and without contrast, MRI spine with and without contrast, lumbar puncture, EEG, EMG.
Good luck.
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
Drop attacks with muscle weakness can be due to several things:
0) Demyelination (such as ADEM, multiple sclerosis)
1) Myopathy or myositis
1) Spinal cord diseases
2) Seizure
3) Syncope
4) Narcolepsy
To help to differentiate the possible diagnosis, your son should probably be seen by a pediatric neurologist as soon as possible. From the symptoms you described, it is possible post-viral demyelinating disease or myositis/myopathy. Diagnostic methods varies, but typically include: MRI brain with and without contrast, MRI spine with and without contrast, lumbar puncture, EEG, EMG.
Good luck.
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL MEDICAL EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT OPTIONS OF YOUR SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
Member Comments (2)
by Parousia, Nov 21, 2007 08:47AM
I just want to add that my son has also said that at times his legs feel very heavy. He is a lightly-built boy, so it is unrelated to actual weight.
