Signs and Symptoms of Juvenile Huntington's Disease

Juvenile Huntington's Disease is a rare disorder which shares some (but not all) of its symptoms with its adult counterpart. It can occur any time between infancy and 20 years of age. Sometimes, children show no symptoms at all. Additionally, a family history of Huntington's Disease matters just as much in the diagnosis process as any singular symptom. Juvenile Huntington's Disease should be diagnosed by a qualified professional.

Impaired Cognitive Function

• Declining cognitive function is an early symptom of Juvenile Huntington's Disease. This may manifest as an inability to concentrate. It may also appear as decreased cognitive skills, such as difficulty with speech, or impaired fine motor skills, such as riding a bicycle or throwing a ball.

Muscle Rigidity

• Because Juvenile Huntington's Disease affects the muscles, rigidity or stiffness is an obvious symptom. The child may have difficulty moving or bending his legs, have a strange gait and become increasingly clumsy.

Seizures

• One symptom unique to Juvenile Huntington's Disease that does not occur in its adult equivalent is seizures. According to the Huntington's Outreach Program for Education at Stanford, 25 to 30 percent of those afflicted with Juvenile Huntington's Disease experience recurring grand mal (also called tonic-clonic) seizures.

Myoclonic Jerks

• According to the Huntington Society of Canada, Juvenile Huntington's Disease also causes myoclonic jerks, which look like small, physical tics. When minor, they appear as muscle twitches but, when severe and high in frequency, resemble a type of seizure.

Behavioral Problems

• Behavioral problems can also be a symptom of Juvenile Huntington's Disease; bad grades, depression and increased sexual promiscuity are all ways in which children afflicted by Huntington's may act out. These symptoms usually need to be accompanied by other symptoms to be conclusive as these problems also arise frequently in children without Huntington's.