[Munchausen syndrome by proxy, an unusual presentation].
We report a 12 year old girl that first consulted for fever with bilateral knee arthralgias. A neurological workout was started due to a progressive gait disturbance, but all results were incongruent with nerve or nerve root lesions, leading to the diagnosis of a functional paralysis. The patient worsened to the point of prostration. Due to the suspicion that the mother was inducing the symptoms, the patient was admitted to the hospital, where she improved notably. She was discharged walking. The improvement during hospital stay confirmed the diagnosis of a Münchausen by proxy syndrome, mimicking a disabling neurological condition.
Maida
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Servicio de Neurología y Psiquiatría Infantil, Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna, Fundación de Prevención de Violencia Intrafamiliar, Antonio Varas 360, Santiago de Chile.
Molina
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ME
Erazo
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D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D016735:Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010343:Patient Admission