A 14-month physiotherapy follow up to a child with Sandifer syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: The Sandifer’s Syndrome was described in 1964 by the neurologist Paul Sandifer when detected a disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract that generated gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially in new-borns and children. It tends to present with esophagitis, iron deficiency anemia and paroxysmal postural movements. These symptoms are related with the ingestion and they use to remit during the sleep. This syndrome generates to the child a psychomotor delay and, therefore, the Early Care is essential to detect and to identify all the signs early; always focusing on the process of learning and consolidation of psychomotor achievements. Thus, the treatment consists of stimulating the child trough the active game to get the psychomotor progression, working on perceptual and sensory changes, and avoiding pain during the intervention. Case report: 8-month-old lactating child with psycmotor delay referred to Early Care from Hospital. The baby presents neck hyperextension, cervicoaxial hypotonia, rejection of the prone position, opisthotonus in supine position and sporadic regurgitations. The child can not move neither maintains the sedestation. Furthermore, he does not hit toys; he has good contact but does not point out objects and does not emit bisyllables. Comments: After fourteen months of Early Care (Physiotherapy), the toddler can up and down the stairs grabbed to the railing with one hand and he gets up from the ground practically alone. He can make more complex lace with dominance of the right hand. The toddler understands concepts of permanence and of action-reaction; and he repeats many words and emits more than ten words spontaneously. The family collaboration by applying the recommended patterns has been a key piece in the treatment. The guidelines applied in various settings facilitated the achievement of motor skills and the consolidation of stages.