Current concept in the diagnosis and treatment of functional neurological disorder in children and adolescents

Abstract

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of neurological symptoms in the absence of any neurological abnormality that can be linked to a known pathology. There is currently limited research available regarding diagnosis and treatment of FND in children and adolescents. Pediatricians and neurologists have insufficient understanding of the disease. Patients have often been misdiagnosed, correctly diagnosed after lengthy delays, or lead to inappropriate treatments. This paper reviews the pertinent clinical and historical features, diagnostic criteria, and multi⁃disciplinary management of FND in the pediatric population, in order to improve clinical understanding of the disease as well as its diagnosis and treatment.

doi：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2023.02.012