Movement Disorders

Pediatric movement disorder (PMD) is a fascinating field of pediatric neurology, continuously evolving in clinical, molecular genetic, and pathophysiological aspects. Despite this increasing knowledge, the diagnosis of a movement disorder in a child is still based on the personal experience of the physician, but many efforts should be made to establish a rationale and shared diagnostic approach.

The correct description of the phenomenology of the movement disorder is the first and essential diagnostic step; this may be even more difficult in the pediatric age due to the variability and possible age-dependent expression of a definite movement disorder. The list of disorders that cause a movement disorder in the pediatric population is very wide, from benign transient conditions to several genetic and metabolic diseases; and still in a high proportion of patients a definite diagnosis is not reached. The planning of a rationale treatment strategy mainly relies on the appropriate diagnosis, and since there are many treatable movement disorders, a correct diagnosis is mandatory.

This special issue is aimed at providing an updated overview of PMD. It presents the fundamental aspects of the classification and etiology and differential diagnosis of the main neurological syndromes, and focuses on the most recent aspect in genetic and pathophysiology.

Internationally acknowledged experts in the field have accepted to participate, and we wish that this volume will serve as a useful guide for all clinicians and persons who deal with children affected by movement disorders and with their families.