RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Paediatric tic-like presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP e17
OP e17
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2021-323002
VO 107
IS 3
A1 Buts, Sarah
A1 Duncan, Morvwen
A1 Owen, Tamsin
A1 Martino, Davide
A1 Pringsheim, Tamara
A1 Byrne, Susan
A1 McWilliams, Andrew
A1 Murphy, Tara
A1 Malik, Osman
A1 Liang, Holan
A1 Heyman, Isobel
A1 Hedderly, Tammy
YR 2022
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/107/3/e17.abstract
AB Background and aim Clinical centres have seen an increase in tic-like movements during the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of children and adolescents are described.Methods A retrospective chart review of 34 consecutive paediatric patients presenting with sudden onset tic-like movements, seen over 6 months.Results 94% of patients were female, with an average age of sudden onset or increase of tic-like movements of 13.7 years. 44% had a previous diagnosis of tics, and 47% initially presented to an emergency department. Comorbid psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders were reported in 91% with 68% reporting anxiety.Conclusion We highlight a dramatic presentation of sudden onset functional tic-like movements in predominantly female adolescents to help inform identification and management. There is need to research the neurobiological underpinnings and environmental exacerbating factors leading to these presentations and to explore effective therapeutic strategies.Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Anonymised tables with data of 34 patients is available at specific request from TH via tammy.hedderly@gstt.nhs.uk.