Differential Diagnosis for Childhood Disorder with Language Regression and Unsteady Gait
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Rett Syndrome: A genetic disorder that primarily affects girls, characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, intellectual disability, and physical disability, including language regression and loss of coordination and balance, leading to an unsteady gait.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with regression: Some children with ASD may experience language regression, and motor coordination issues, including unsteady gait, can be part of the spectrum.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: A condition where children develop normally until they are about 2 years old and then lose language, social, and intellectual skills, which can include motor skills leading to unsteady gait.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE): A rare but fatal condition caused by a measles virus infection, leading to progressive neurological deterioration, including language regression and ataxia (unsteady gait).
- Metabolic Disorders (e.g., mitochondrial diseases, urea cycle disorders): Certain metabolic disorders can cause regression of developmental milestones, including language and motor skills, and if untreated, can lead to severe outcomes.
- Rare diagnoses
- Landau-Kleffner Syndrome: A rare neurological disorder characterized by the sudden or gradual development of aphasia (language loss) in children, often accompanied by seizures and sometimes motor symptoms.
- Batten Disease: A group of rare, inherited disorders that affect the nervous system, leading to language regression, loss of motor skills, and vision loss, among other symptoms.