Early recognition of status dystonicus in children: a case-based approach for the general pediatrician.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the importance of promptly recognizing and correctly naming status dystonicus as a neurologic emergency in the outpatient and inpatient settings, and aims to equip general pediatricians with practical guidance to trigger rapid escalation of care through the recently published status dystonicus pathways.

RECENT FINDINGS: In 2024, Vogt et al. introduced two consensus algorithms - the acute dystonia pathway and the refractory status dystonicus pathway - aimed to unify diagnostic criteria, triage steps, and staged pharmacological and supportive interventions for status dystonicus across healthcare environments.

SUMMARY: Effective application of these pathways empowers frontline clinicians to identify status dystonicus early, initiate first-line treatments without delay, and expedite transfer to specialized teams, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this life-threatening movement disorder emergency.