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Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

AHC
Alternating Hemiplegia Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by frequent, temporary episodes of paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia). Symptoms usually begin before the age of 18 months. This syndrome may be characterized by temporary (transient) hemiplegia of varying degrees; temporary paralysis of the muscles that control eye movement (transient ocular palsies); sudden, involuntary movements of limbs and facial muscles (choreoathetosis); and/or excessive sweating with changes in skin color and body temperature (autonomic nervous system dysfunction). Mental capacity may be affected. The exact cause of AHC is unknown. Some cases of AHC may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 5/23/2008
Copyright 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: October 07, 2011

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