Guntur: 1-year-old girl diagnosed with dancing eye syndrome

GUNTUR: Doctors of Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur have diagnosed a 1-year-old girl with dancing eye syndrome, also called Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome or Kinsbourne disease. The toddler named Navya was brought to the hospital on July 13, ahead of her first birthday that fell on July 15. GGH head of neurology department Prof. N.V. Sundarachary said Navya used to walk, jump and play, but due to sudden changes in her eyes and body, she was taken to pediatricians and got her investigated with CT scan and EEG, presuming it to be seizures.

But when CT and EEG were normal, she was prescribed multivitamins and anti-seizure drugs, but of no use. When she was brought to the GGH, the child was conscious but fretful, and was found to have jerky multi-dimensional rapid eye movements. When she was made to stand, she was too unsteady even with a support. Her limbs were shaky when she tried to catch hold of objects.

Dr Sundarachary mentioned that Kinsbourne disease was extremely rare with an incidence of one in one crore. He explained that it is caused due to antibody attack on purkinje cells of cerebellum, which is meant for balance while standing, walking and also for stability and control of eye movements. These antibodies are called ‘Anti Ri’, which can be detected in the blood. A thorough search for neuroblastoma by scan is essential.  He stated that an interesting feature of this condition is even if neuroblastoma is found, it resolves completely without any aftereffects.  A number of drugs are available to treat this condition. Navya is currently undergoing treatment in the GGH.