Hallervorden-Spatz disease - Treatment

Alternative Names

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms. There is no specific treatment for Hallervorden-Spatz disease.

Expectations (prognosis):

Hallervorden-Spatz gets worse and damages the nerves over time. It leads to a lack of movement and often death by early adulthood.

Complications:

Medication used to treat symptoms can cause complications. Being unable to move from the disease can lead to:

Blood clots
Respiratory infections
Skin breakdown

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child develops:

Increased stiffness in the arms or legs
Increasing problems at school
Unusual movements

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lang A. Other movement disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 434.

Muscle cramps

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