Gross Motor Function Disorders in Patients with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood

BACKGROUND: Alternating hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) is a rare disease manifested by transient episodes of hemiplegia and other neurological disorders. Delayed motor development has been reported in patients with AHC, but detailed features of the motor impairment have not been described so far. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate gross motor function between attacks in a group of Polish patients with AHC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The interictal gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function AHC scale, which consisted of 41 motor tasks. The study group consisted of 10 patients with AHC older than 2 years of age. The control group consisted of 30 age- and gender-matched subjects. The results achieved in each of the 41 tasks by the study subjects were compared to the results obtained with controls using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test. In tasks 38–41, mean times were compared between the study subjects and controls. RESULTS: The study revealed gross motor function impairment in patients with AHC. The greatest differences compared to controls concerned such skills as standing on toes, walking on toes, walking on heels, as well as running and hopping on one leg and on alternate legs. Significant impairment of the motor function of the upper limbs was also found. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed motor function impairment between attacks in patients with AHC. The study findings may indicate the need to introduce individualised physiotherapy management of patients with AHC.