Early-Onset Parkinson's in Children: Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis

It is very rare for Parkinson's disease to occur in children before their teens. The average age of onset for Parkinson's disease is 60 years, and only about 1% of cases occur in people younger than 20 years old.

When Parkinson's disease does occur in children, it is known as juvenile Parkinsonism or early-onset Parkinson's disease. Juvenile Parkinsonism is a rare condition that affects about 1 in 100,000 children. The symptoms of juvenile Parkinsonism are similar to those of Parkinson's disease in adults, but they may be milder and progress more slowly.

Juvenile Parkinsonism is often caused by genetic mutations, although some cases are idiopathic (meaning the cause is unknown). There is no cure for juvenile Parkinsonism, but treatment can help to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.