Pediatric Movement Disorders in Colombia Face Long Diagnostic Delays

Source: Pediatric neurology

Summary

This study looked at pediatric movement disorders (MDs) in children and teenagers aged 0-18 years at a specialized clinic in Bogotá, Colombia. Researchers examined 210 patients over a period from January 2022 to June 2025. They aimed to understand the types of movement disorders, their causes, and the factors that led to delays in diagnosis.

The findings showed that the most common movement disorders were dystonia, tics, and tremors. Many patients had a delay in diagnosis, with an average wait of about 18.5 months, and over half of the patients waited more than a year to get diagnosed. Those living outside Bogotá experienced even longer delays. The study also found that a significant number of patients had unknown causes for their movement disorders, and some had additional challenges like intellectual disabilities and epilepsy.

These results highlight the need for better access to testing and quicker diagnosis for children with movement disorders in Colombia. The long wait times can affect treatment and overall quality of life. However, the study is limited to one center, so more research is needed to understand the situation in other areas and to develop solutions that can help all children with movement disorders in the region.

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