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CASE REPORT article

Front. Genet.

Sec. Genetics of Common and Rare Diseases

Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fgene.2025.1672445

Practical Approach to Differentiating Juvenile Parkinsonism of Genetic Cause and Drug-Induced Parkinsonism in Adolescents: A Case Series and Literature Review

Provisionally accepted
  • 1Spitalul Clinic de Urgenta pentru Copii Sfanta Maria Iasi, Iași, Romania
  • 2Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Juvenile parkinsonism is a disease which is rarely seen in pediatric patients. In addition, drug-induced Parkinson's syndrome is generally rare in children; however, it represents one of the most severe iatrogenic movement disorders in adults. The authors present one case of genetically confirmed juvenile parkinsonism and two cases of chronic Parkinson's syndrome induced by psychiatric medication. The aim is to underline the differences between the clinical presentation, laboratory results, and the evolution under treatment. In addition, by reviewing literature data we analyzed the most significant information to describe the differences between these two conditions. Parkinsonian syndromes in pediatric patients and juvenile parkinsonism are difficult to diagnose based solely on clinical presentation because the manifestations are non-specific. Genetic testing and exclusion of other causes is essential for the final diagnosis. Adolescents who are diagnosed with drug-induced parkinsonian syndromes should undergo neurological evaluation, due to the fact that there is a risk of developing idiopathic Parkinson's disease later during adulthood.

Keywords: Juvenile parkinsonism, drug-induced parkinsonian syndrome, adolescents, Genetic Testing, movement disorder

Received: 25 Jul 2025; Accepted: 03 Oct 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 Grigore, Butnariu, Schreiner, Lupu, Lupu, Darie, Prăzaru, Țarcă, Popa and Grigore. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Lacramioara Ionela Butnariu, lacrybutnariu@gmail.com

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