Long-term outcomes of functional neurological disorder in children. Issue 12 (20th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Raper, Joseph; Currigan, Victoria; Fothergill, Sarah; Stone, Jon; Forsyth, Rob J
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: 1155
• Page End: 1160
• Publication Date: 2019-07-20
• Subjects: neurology -- adolescent health -- child psychology -- child psychiatry; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2018-316519
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To establish the incidence and long-term outcomes (up to 21 years) of children presenting to a University hospital paediatric neurology service with symptoms due to functional neurological disorder (FND) with particular reference to occurrence of FND or similar symptoms in adulthood. Methods: Retrospective chart review to determine characteristics of the original paediatric FND presentation plus record-linkage with providers of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Chart review of adult medical records for documentation of functional symptoms in adulthood. Results: 124 individuals (56% female) met entry criteria. The most common presentations were seizures (18%), sensory loss (18%) and motor symptoms (16%). Frequency gradually increased with age of onset with an incidence in paediatric neurological services of 6 per 100 000 children under 16. In up to 21 years' follow-up (median 8.3 years), 114/124 attained their 16th birthdays by the study census date and were thus eligible for inclusion in an analysis of symptom persistence/recurrence in adulthood. 26/114 (23%) showed evidence of FND in adulthood of sufficient significance to be recorded in medical records. Conclusion: Paediatric FND is commoner than previous estimates. Even in this selected population of children reaching specialist paediatric neurology services, a high long-term remission rate is observed.