Familial spastic ataxia: occurrence in childhood.

The childhood form of familial spastic ataxia differs in many aspects from the disease of adult onset but as yet has received little attention in the literature. Five children with familial spastic ataxia are presented. A general review of the pertinent literature on familial spastic ataxia is included. The clinical and pathologic features of the childhood form of this disease are variable. Because this recessive disease has no known metabolic marker, differential diagnosis is difficult, requiring detailed history and careful observation.