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Hallervorden-Spatz disease - Treatment

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms. Although there is no specific treatment for Hallervorden-Spatz disease, taking certain vitamins (including pantothenate, Coenzyme Q10, and other antioxidants) may help.

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: 9/22/2008
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

Jankovic J. Movement disorders. In: Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 34.

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