What to do about polydactyly in children

  The symptoms of polydactyly, also known as juvenile tic and obscene syndrome, are involuntary, generalized muscle twitching, and in some cases, involuntary vocalization and self-talk may accompany the twitching. Twitching symptoms usually start in the face and neck and gradually spread downward. The twitching may take various forms, such as blinking, pouting, shaking the head, shrugging the shoulders, shrinking the neck, extending the arms, flinging the arms, raising the chest and stomach, bending the back, and rotating the torso. Vocal twitches can take the form of guttural sounds, roaring, and stating obscene words. Some children with involuntary twitching gradually develop speech motor disorders, and some children may also develop imitation of language, imitation of actions, imitation of expressions and other behaviors. Involuntary laryngeal tics appear late in children, with a few appearing early and most appearing 6 to 7 years after the onset of the disease. The condition of the child is often fluctuating, sometimes mild and sometimes severe, and sometimes may resolve on its own for a period of time. The site, frequency and intensity of twitching can change. It may worsen when the child is stressed, anxious, tired, or sleep deprived; it may decrease when the child is relaxed and disappear after sleep. The child’s intelligence is generally normal, but some children may have psychological problems such as inattention, learning difficulties, and emotional disturbances.  The etiology of this disease has not been elucidated, but recent studies suggest that it may be the result of the interaction of genetic factors, neurophysiology, biochemical metabolism and environmental factors in the developmental process.  According to Chinese medicine, this disease is related to congenital deficiency of endowment, birth injury, suffocation, exposure to external evil, poor diet, and emotional disorders, and is mostly triggered by excessive wind and phlegm. The disease is mainly located in the liver and is closely related to the heart, spleen and kidney.  Examination: General laboratory findings are not special. EEG and brain imaging examinations such as brain CT and MRI should be done to exclude brain lesions.  Diagnosis: Diagnosis can be made based on medical history and clinical symptoms, but chorea, hepatomegaly, epileptic myoclonic seizures, pharmacogenic involuntary movements and other extrapyramidal lesions should be excluded.  Treatment: 1. Western and Chinese medicine treatment Commonly used drugs in Western medicine include haloperidol, thiopride, clonidine, inosine, etc.  Acupuncture and herbal treatment are based on the basic principle of pacifying the liver and quenching the wind. In case of qi stagnation and fire, it is advisable to clear the liver and fire, calm the wind and subdue fright; in case of spleen deficiency and phlegm aggregation, it is advisable to strengthen the spleen and resolve phlegm, calm the liver and quench the wind; in case of yin deficiency and wind movement, it is advisable to nourish yin and submerge yang, soften the liver and quench wind. Commonly used prescriptions include Danjuania Prosperity San, Jiawei Wenzhi Tang and Da Dingfeng Zhu. Commonly used acupuncture points include Siguan, Yanglingquan, Sishencong, Baihui, Shangxing, Yintang, Zhimen, Dabao, Ligou, Shengong, Lijiao, Zhongji, etc.  2.Family treatment Reasonable arrangement of daily rest time and activities of the child, do not watch TV, play computer, game consoles for a long time, avoid excessive tension and fatigue. It is not appropriate to reprimand and scold the child at any time, and give the child a relaxed family environment. Take time to play and communicate with your child to reduce your child’s study load. Do not eat spicy food, snacks, or stimulating drinks.