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Condition

Pediatric Dystonia

Key Points About Dystonia in Children

  • Dystonia affects how the body moves. The condition makes muscles involuntarily contract and can result in pain, fatigue and exhaustion.
  • It can affect the entire body or a certain part of the body.
  • Experts aren’t certain what causes dystonia. But they think it’s a problem in the part of your brain called the basal ganglia.
  • Treatments can help manage dystonia and prevent complications.
  • Researchers have come a long way in understanding and treating dystonia. More research may reveal even more successful strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Which children are at risk for dystonia?

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Meet the Providers Who Treat Dystonia

Tea's Story

On Tea Abbadini's thirteenth birthday, she started feeling sudden pain on the right side of her lower abdomen that her parents thought was appendicitis. A few months later on Christmas Eve, Tea's hand cramped up for 10 minutes and, on New Year's Eve, she got her first back cramp. Her back cramp was so bad that it curved her to the right and caused her to walk leaned over for a few hours.

Departments that Treat Dystonia

    Pre-teen girl practicing balance for her provider

    Neurology

    Our pediatric neuroscience team is the largest in the country, allowing us to offer our vast experience to patients and families.

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