Understanding Dementia in Children: Signs, Symptoms & Causes

According to Medical News Today, "Dementia is the progressive deterioration in cognitive function--the ability to process thought." Doctors diagnose dementia if two or more brain functions are impaired, including memory, perception, language skills, reasoning or judgment. Though typically considered a disorder that affects the elderly, there are many conditions that can cause dementia in children.

Symptoms

• Children with dementia may have memory loss and be unable to concentrate. Unlike the inattention and moodiness most children have at times, dementia slowly progresses as the child's condition gradually deteriorates. The child may not realize where he is or have a concept of time. He may have a hard time finding the right words to express himself and may not understand other people. Children with dementia lose the ability to do things they were once able to do well, such as perform simple tasks or solve minor problems. Mood changes, emotional outbursts and depression are common symptoms. The child may not enunciate clearly and develop behavioral problems, such as agitation, paranoia and hallucinations. Eventually, the child loses the ability to control bodily functions. Since there are many conditions that have similar symptoms, dementia is ultimately diagnosed by a brain scan.

Causes

• Infections, brain injuries or tumors, vitamin deficiency and poisoning can cause dementia in people of any age, including children. Other conditions that cause dementia in children include Batten disease, Canavan disease, Huntington's disease, Niemann-Pick disease, Rett Syndrome, Lafora body disease, neurodegeneration, frontotemporal dementia, Tay Sachs disease, Alexander disease, Rasmussen's encephalitis, HIV-associated dementia, Schilder's disease, disintegrative disorder and metabolic disorders.

Treatment

• Signs and symptoms of dementia may be reversible or irreversible depending on the cause. Dementia caused by infections, brain tumors, vitamin deficiencies and problems with metabolism can be treated. Treatment may include surgery or taking medications, such as antibiotics for infection and mood stabilizers or stimulants for depression. Doctors may choose to discontinue medicine known to contribute to confusion, such as anticholinergics, analgesics, cimetidine and lidocaine.