Paroxysmal Choreoathetosis: Associated With Perinatal Hypoxic Encephalopathy

Paroxysmal choreoathetosis is a rarely reported disorder. In this condition (and in some classified as "seizures induced by movement"), 5 the patient suddenly exhibits choreoathetoid involuntary movements, focal or diffuse. The attacks rarely last longer than 30 to 60 seconds and are characterized by retention of consciousness. They usually occur many times daily without treatment. Despite the fact that the previously reported cases usually responded to anticonvulsants, the similarity of the case to be reported here to phenothiazine-induced acute extrapyramidal syndromes prompted the use of belladonna and an antihistaminic. This case therefore differs from those previously reported because of the presence of signs and history of birth injury and the response to belladonna and diphenhydramine.