Alternating Hemiplegia Information Page
Synonym(s): Hemiplegia Alterans
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What is Alternating Hemiplegia?
Alternating hemiplegia is a rare neurological disorder that develops in childhood, usually before the first 4 years. The disorder is characterized by recurrent but temporary episodes of paralysis on one side of the body. The paralysis can affect eye movements, limbs, or facial muscles. One form of the disorder, identified very recently, has a favorable outlook. It occurs primarily at night, when a child awakens, and is apparently related to migraine. These children have no other mental or neurological impairments. In more serious cases symptoms may include mental impairment, balance and gait difficulties, excessive sweating, and changes in body temperature. Seizures can occur. Sleep helps in the recovery from the periods of paralysis but the paralysis can recur upon waking. The cause of the disorder is unknown.
Is there any treatment?
Drug therapy including flunarizine may help to reduce the severity and duration of attacks of paralysis associated with the more serious form of alternating hemiplegia.
What is the prognosis?
Children with the benign form of alternating hemiplegia have a good prognosis. However, those who experience the more severe form have a poor prognosis because intellectual and mental capacity do not respond to drug therapy, and balance and gait problems continue. Over time, walking unassisted becomes difficult or impossible.
What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on paralytic disorders such as alternating hemiplegia, with the goals of learning more about these disorders and finding ways to prevent, treat, and, ultimately, cure them.
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