UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Pediatrics

Title: Acute Cerebellar Ataxia of Childhood

Posted: 4/23/2010 by Rose Chasm, MD (Updated: 4/19/2024)
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also known as acute cerebellitis of childhood
most commonly affects children 2-6 years old
about 50% have a history of recent URI or viral GI illness
abrupt onset of ataxia which may be mild to severe, and findings usually include hypotonia, tremor, horizontal nystagmus, and dysarthria
child often is irritable with nausa/vomiting
sensory exam and DTR's are normal
CT and MRI are normal
CSF usually demonstrates an increase in WBC, with a predemonance of lymphocytes
90% recover without any specific therapy in 6-8 weeks (steroids are not indicated).