title: [Myoclonic encephalopathy in childhood (author's transl)].
abstract: Two new cases of infantile myoclonic encephalopathy are reported and a survey of literature is given. The disease is characterized by generalised myoclonic jerks in all striated muscles, by cerebellar ataxia and by fast, jerking, mostly conjugated irregular eye movements (opsoclonus). The disease develops mostly during late infancy and early childhood. The pathogenesis is unknown, probably it is caused by immunological reactions to various agents. Treatment with ACTH or corticosteroids leads to rapid remission of the initial neurological symptoms, but it is suggested that therapy does not prevent frequent sequelae of psychomotor retardation and speech distubances. Remarkably, there is the high coincidence of infantile myoclonic encephalopathy and neuroblastoma. Therefore it is necessary to keep in mind the possibility of a causative neuroblastoma in all children with myoclonic encephalopathy and to control repeatly radiological findings and urin-excretion of catecholamines as well as their metabolic products.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000150:complications; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D002395:Catecholamines; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
vernacular_title: Die myoklonische Encephalopathie im Kindesalter.