What are the sequelae of poliomyelitis in children?
Disease description:
My friend's son previously had poliomyelitis, and now he is experiencing muscle atrophy. We are unsure whether this is a sequela of poliomyelitis. What are the common sequelae of poliomyelitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Complications of poliomyelitis include muscle atrophy, limb deformities, joint problems, difficulty walking, and nervous system damage.
1. Muscle atrophy: The poliovirus invades motor nerve cells in the central nervous system, causing muscles to lose neural control and gradually atrophy due to long-term inactivity.
2. Limb deformities: If a child with poliomyelitis does not recover for a long time, progressive muscle atrophy can lead to limb deformities.
3. Joint problems: Patients may develop joint instability, stiffness, or dislocation. These issues are typically associated with muscle atrophy and prolonged improper posture, possibly leading to joint dysfunction.
4. Difficulty walking: Damage to the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord can weaken muscle strength and cause an unsteady gait, characterized by difficulty lifting the legs and a tendency to fall. Patients may require assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs to walk.
5. Nervous system damage: The poliovirus attacks the nervous system, causing nerve damage. This damage can be permanent and may result in neurological symptoms such as weakened or absent tendon reflexes and sensory abnormalities.
Preventing poliomyelitis is also very important, and vaccination with the poliovirus vaccine is an effective method to prevent the disease.
