title: [Two cases of pediatric psychogenic gait disturbance].
abstract: We report herein on 2 cases of pediatric psychogenic gait disturbance. Both patients (boys) were aged 10 years. Patient 1 had psychogenic fever and psychogenic visual disturbance. His symptoms improved after 4 months. Patient 2 had headache and general fatigue and was subfebrile. His symptoms disappeared after 5 months. Pediatric psychogenic gait disturbance is rare, and it is important to understand the clinical characteristics of the affected patients. In most cases, treatment can be time-consuming. To treat these patients, it is important to rule out organic disorders. A diagnosis of psychogenic gait disturbance should be made on the basis of the clinical characteristics of the disorder, such as (1) momentary fluctuations of stance and gait, often in response to suggestions; (2) excessive slowness or hesitation of locomotion incompatible with neurological disease; and (3) uneconomic postures with wastage of muscle energy. These symptoms typically improve in 4-5 months.
authors.affiliation: National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology.
authors.forename: Fumiyuki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Hidenobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taiji
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome