[A 9-year-old boy with sudden memory loss].
BACKGROUND
Transient global amnesia is a recognised phenomenon in adults. However in children it is rarely described. It is characterised by a sudden loss of memory in an otherwise healthy patient. What is striking is that other cognitive functions and neurological examination are normal.


METHODS
A 9-year-old boy presented at the paediatric ward with acute onset retrograde and anterograde amnesia. He had no history of headache or other (neurological) symptoms. There were no known emotional or physical stressors. A general physical and neurological examination showed no abnormalities. The boy was hospitalised for observation overnight. The next day he was fully recovered.


CONCLUSIONS
Transient global amnesia may occur in childhood. Since patients recover spontaneously, watchful waiting is justified.
St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Nieuwegein.
Ruud W H
RW
Meijneke
Elke A
EA
van de Ven
Herman M
HM
Schippers
D020236:Amnesia, Transient Global / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D057832:Watchful Waiting