Alice in Wonderland Syndrome in Children: A Link to COVID-19
When the World Gets Wonky: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome in Kids
Imagine your child saying, “Mom, Dad’s head got bigger!” While alarming, this statement might actually describe symptoms of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS), a neurological condition named after Lewis Carroll’s famous novel.Understanding AIWS in children is crucial, especially as it can occur during infections, including COVID-19. A recent Italian study published in Pediatric Neurology highlights this connection.
Distorted Reality:
AIWS is characterized by unusual sensory experiences, including:
Macropsia: Objects appear larger than they are.
Micropsia: Objects appear smaller.
teleopsia: Objects seem farther away.
Pelopsia: Objects seem closer.
Metamorphopsia: The body or body parts appear to change size.
Chromatopsia: Altered perception of colors.
“when not linked to brain lesions, AIWS can occur alongside infections or shortly after,” explains Dr. susanna Staccioli,a pediatric neurologist at Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome,Italy,and lead author of the study.
COVID-19 Connection:
The study presented two cases of children experiencing AIWS after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The first case involved an 8-year-old girl who experienced visual distortions (micropsia, macropsia, teleopsia) and auditory hallucinations, sometimes accompanied by headaches. These symptoms began during a fever but persisted even after the fever subsided.
The second case involved a 6-year-old girl who experienced recurring visual distortions,including metamorphopsia and chromatopsia. These episodes began three weeks before her visit to the emergency room.Both girls tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 but had no other significant symptoms. Brain scans and EEG tests were normal. Their visual phenomena gradually subsided as the infection cleared.
Recognizing the Signs:
“Parents often dismiss these symptoms initially because they seem so unusual,” says Dr. Staccioli. Children’s descriptions can be imaginative and difficult to articulate, but recurring episodes often prompt parental concern.
Diagnosis relies on detailed patient history and symptom descriptions. “Sometimes we ask children to draw what they saw,” suggests Dr.staccioli. Parental input is invaluable, especially when children are hesitant to speak up.
Raising Awareness:
“AIWS should be considered before assuming a psychiatric disorder,” emphasizes Dr. Staccioli. While awareness among pediatricians is improving, she believes continued education is essential.Understanding AIWS can definitely help parents and healthcare providers recognize and address this unusual but frequently enough benign condition.
When the World Gets Wonky: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome in Kids
Imagine your child saying, “mom, Dad’s head got bigger!” While alarming, this statement might actually describe symptoms of alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS), a neurological condition named after Lewis Carroll’s famous novel. Understanding AIWS in children is crucial, especially as it can occur during infections, including COVID-19. A recent Italian study published in Pediatric Neurology highlights this connection.
Distorted Reality:
AIWS is characterized by unusual sensory experiences, including:
Macropsia: Objects appear larger than they are.
Micropsia: Objects appear smaller.
Teleopsia: objects seem farther away.
Pelopsia: Objects seem closer.
Metamorphopsia: The body or body parts appear to change size.
Chromatopsia: Altered perception of colors.
“When not linked to brain lesions, AIWS can occur alongside infections or shortly after,” explains Dr. Susanna Staccioli, a pediatric neurologist at Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, italy, and lead author of the study.
COVID-19 Connection:
The study presented two cases of children experiencing AIWS after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The first case involved an 8-year-old girl who experienced visual distortions (micropsia, macropsia, teleopsia) and auditory hallucinations, sometimes accompanied by headaches. Thes symptoms began during a fever but persisted even after the fever subsided.
The second case involved a 6-year-old girl who experienced recurring visual distortions,including metamorphopsia and chromatopsia.These episodes began three weeks before her visit to the emergency room. Both girls tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 but had no other significant symptoms. Brain scans and EEG tests were normal. Their visual phenomena gradually subsided as the infection cleared.
Recognizing the Signs:
“Parents frequently enough dismiss these symptoms initially as they seem so unusual,” says Dr. Staccioli.Children’s descriptions can be imaginative and difficult to articulate, but recurring episodes often prompt parental concern.
Diagnosis relies on detailed patient history and symptom descriptions. “Sometimes we ask children to draw what they saw,” suggests Dr. Staccioli. Parental input is invaluable, especially when children are hesitant to speak up.
Raising Awareness:
“AIWS should be considered before assuming a psychiatric disorder,” emphasizes Dr. Staccioli. While awareness among pediatricians is improving, she believes continued education is essential. Understanding AIWS can definitely help parents and healthcare providers recognize and address this unusual but frequently benign condition.