TITLE:
Sandifer’s Syndrome in a 3-Month-Old Male Infant: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Ahmed Basal, Ali Aldirawi, Samer Abuzerr
KEYWORDS:
Sandifer Syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Torticollis, Dystonic Postures
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.9 No.3,
September
18,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Sandifer syndrome (SS) is the association of gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD) with neurological manifestations (spastic torticollis and
paroxysmal dystonic postures with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic
posturing. Case presentation: A 3-month-old male infant presented to our emergency
department with torticollis and dystonic episodes for two months associated
with vomiting. These movements were observed during or just after feeding.
Since the patient developed regurgitations with torticollis and dystonic
episodes with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic posturing. The
electroencephalogram was normal. Barium swallow/meal examination revealed GERD
without evidence of hiatus hernia. Apgar scores were 7 at 1 min and 9 at 5 min. Conclusion: Early recognition and treatment of GERD in patients with
Sandifer syndrome enhance the success of medical management and contributes to
improved quality of life for patients with brain damage. The paroxysmal
dystonic behaviors were dramatically disappeared completely after medical
management in this patient.