Flaccid Paralysis: Causes & Reasons

Warning: Do not use in emergencies, if pregnant, if under 18, or as a substitute for a doctor’s advice or diagnosis. Learn more

Possible Causes for Flaccid Paralysis

Hyperkalemia

In 94 patients, flaccid paralysis was described and in 25, severe muscular weakness; in 65 patients, these findings were associated with other symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

In severe cases, weakness and flaccid paralysis may occur. [fpnotebook.com]

paralysis may occur. [fpnotebook.com]

Tick Paralysis

Tick paralysis is a rare, ascending, flaccid paralysis that occurs when toxin-secreting Ixodidae ticks bite and remain attached for several days. [msdmanuals.com]

CONSUMERS: Click here for the Consumer Version Tick paralysis is a rare, ascending, flaccid paralysis that occurs when toxin-secreting Ixodidae ticks bite and remain attached [merckmanuals.com]

The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is known to be one of the most virulent tick species producing a flaccid paralysis and fatalities caused by a family of neurotoxins [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old woman presented with acute ascending flaccid paralysis and acute respiratory failure. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune polyneuropathy causing acute flaccid paralysis and it is known to improve with plasmapheresis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Paraneoplastic Syndrome

[…] paraplegia Sensory loss: All modalities Sphincter paralysis Reflexes: Tendon reduced; Extensor plantar Course Progressive: Ascending paralysis Poor prognosis: Prolonged paralysis [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

Paraneoplastic 11 Neoplasms: Lymphoma; Leukemia; Lung; Thyroid; Breast; Renal Clinical Onset Time: Before or after neoplasm Symptoms: Pain in back or Radiating to legs Weakness: Flaccid [neuromuscular.wustl.edu]

Enterovirus Infection

The incidence of acute flaccid paralysis has been on a declining trend with the global efforts on eradication of polio virus. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

However if they infect the central nervous system, they can cause serious illnesses like meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). [gov.uk]

paralysis/myelitis. [eurosurveillance.org]

Hypokalemia

Severe hypokalemia (plasma potassium 2.5 mmol/L) is usually associated with acute flaccid paralysis that can range from mild muscle weakness to severe paralysis. [acutecaretesting.org]

Severe hypokalemia results in extreme weakness of the body and, on occasion, in paralysis. The paralysis that occurs is "flaccid paralysis," or limpness. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

paralysis Decrease deep tendon reflexes Decreased bowel sounds Easy way to Remember 7 L’s Lethargy (confusion) Low, shallow respirations (due to decreased ability to use [registerednursern.com]

Radiculomyelopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A comparative study was performed in patients with cervical radiculomyelopathy due to soft disc herniation to compare surgical results of laminoplasty with anterior discectomy and arthrodesis. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether posterior decompression without discectomy can be selected for cervical[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Subdural Hematoma

Chronic subdural haematoma causes serious morbidity and mortality. It recurs after surgical evacuation in 5-30% of patients. Drains might reduce recurrence but are not used routinely. Our aim was to investigate the effect of drains on recurrence rates and clinical outcomes. We did a randomised controlled trial at[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

A characteristic finding is albuminocytological dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid, and the clinical presentation is typically an ascending flaccid paralysis with loss [doi.org]

[…] in children, called acute flaccid myelitis. [brainandlife.org]

Academy of Neurology Possible Treatment for Rare Polio-like Illness Shows No Benefit Researchers have been searching for possible treatments for the polio-like illness causing paralysis [brainandlife.org]

Benzodiazepine Overdose

Benzodiazepine overdose Other names Benzodiazepine poisoning Specialty Toxicology, emergency medicine Benzodiazepines The core structure of benzodiazepines. "R" labels denote common locations of side chains, which give different benzodiazepines their unique properties. Pronunciation: Benzodiazepine List of[…] [en.wikipedia.org]

Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome

A 16-year-old girl with Down syndrome presented with urinary retention and acute complete flaccid paralysis of the legs with absent deep tendon and abdominal reflexes. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

After surgery, the patient experienced flaccid paralysis of lower limb and impaired sensation of touch and warmth of knee and below. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Soon after, flaccid paralysis with sparing of sensory functions, consistent with anterior spinal artery syndrome (ASAS), was diagnosed. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Coxsackievirus Infection

When additional agents of the same group were isolated, it was recognized that some, called group A, produced generalized myositis and flaccid paralysis in the mice used for [histopathology-india.net]

paralysis). [verywell.com]

Incidence of acute flaccid paralysis due the virus decreased 99% between 1998 and 2003. [infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com]

Brachial Plexus Neuropathy

[…] three cases of osteoarticular infection manifested by flaccid limb paralysis without the typical systemic signs of infection. [revistas.rcaap.pt]

Brachial neuritis usually is characterized by the acute onset of excruciating unilateral shoulder pain, followed by flaccid paralysis of shoulder and parascapular muscles [emedicine.medscape.com]

On the other hand, pseudo-paralysis or apparent weakness of a limb associated with septic arthritis or osteomyelitis is a well-documented phenomenon Case Report: We describe [revistas.rcaap.pt]

Hematomyelia

paralysis, loss of sphincter tone, and ascending sensory loss. [9] Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may cause symptoms due to blood in the subarachnoid space, or blood [emedicine.medscape.com]

The patient was vitally stable but in flaccid paralysis till the discharge date and he was under antibiotic coverage along with steroids. [sjmms.net]

Ischemic myelopathy often presents with flaccid paralysis below the level of injury along with hyporeflexia and reduced rectal tone. [now.aapmr.org]

Meningomyelocele

Children with high lumbar lesions (L1, L2) have flaccid paralysis of knees and ankles and may walk with extensive braces and crutches. [hawaii.edu]

• Flaccid or spastic paralysis of the lower limbs • Urinary and or faecal incontinence • Hydrocephalus • Poor trunk control • Musculoskeletal complications • Scoliosis • [physio-pedia.com]

Children with the less common thoracic lesions, have flaccid paralysis of lower extremities with variable weakness in abdominal and trunk musculature. [hawaii.edu]

Cannabis Abuse

Abstract In previous studies, long-term cannabis use led to alterations of the endocannabinoid system including an increase in CB1 and/or CB2 receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) in blood cells and an increase in the serum level of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. However, in those studies, cannabis use was[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Myelitis

BACKGROUND: Enteroviral infections can cause acute flaccid paralysis secondary to anterior myelitis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

The polio vaccination records were only available for 149 of the 554 acute flaccid paralysis patients during that outbreak. [inquisitr.com]

Acute flaccid paralysis is due to cytolytic infection of anterior horn cells. [link.springer.com]

Motor Neuron Disease

Abstract This report summarizes what we believe to be the first verifiable case of a significant and progressive motor neuron disease (MND) consistent with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that resolved during treatment with i.v. ceftriaxone plus oral atovaquone and mefloquine. The rationale for use of these[…] [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Neuromuscular Junction Disorder

Autonomic dysfunction (blurred vision, diplopia, bradycardia, and hypotension) followed by descending flaccid paralysis occur Wound botulism Results from contamination of [academic.oup.com]

Differential diagnosis of flaccid paralysis Anterior horn disease Disorders of the NMJ  Polyemyelitis  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis  Myasthenia gravis  Lambert-Eaton [slideshare.net]

Seite 204 - AK (1993) Acute motor axonal neuropathy: A frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in China. Ann Neurol 33:333-342. ‎ [books.google.de]

Polymyositis

[…] in children, called acute flaccid myelitis. [brainandlife.org]

Lumbosacral Plexus Disorder

paralysis associated with sensory deficits to all types of stimulation in the territory of the damaged nerve roots: a lower motor neuron paralysis. [medlink.com]

[…] released March 21, 2002; last updated December 17, 2018; expires December 17, 2021 Overview Neurologic signs of lumbosacral plexus injuries consist of motor deficit with flaccid [medlink.com]

Acute poliomyelitis, however, begins as aseptic meningitis, followed by flaccid, asymmetrical paralysis developing within a week. [neupsykey.com]

Familial Periodic Paralysis

paralysis of the voluntary muscles. periodic paralysis 1. any of various diseases characterized by episodic flaccid paralysis or muscular weakness. progressive bulbar paralysis [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Periodic paralysis, familial Clinical Information Heterogenous group of inherited disorders characterized by recurring attacks of rapidly progressive flaccid paralysis or [icd9data.com]

It is characterized by episodes of muscle paralysis in which the affected muscles become flaccid and the deep tendon reflexes disappear. [fpnotebook.com]

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Hypokalemia, with associated flaccid paralysis, and signs of hyperthyroidism, are the hallmark. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

In conclusion, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion, especially among Asians presenting with flaccid paralysis and hypokalemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Acute recurrent episodes of flaccid paralysis, symmetrically affecting the proximal muscles of the lower limbs, either following strenuous physical activity or carbohydrate [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis

These procedures produced attacks of flaccid paralysis that occurred concomitantly with rapid rises in serum potassium concentrations and decreases in blood glucose and inorganic [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

HyperPP is a rare genetic disorder that causes episodes of flaccid paralysis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Effects of strenuous exercise, followed by rest, and of potassium administration on blood chemistry values were studied in two patients with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis [jamanetwork.com]

Dermatomyositis

[…] in children, called acute flaccid myelitis. [patients.aan.com]

Spinal Cord Transection

It presents as a flaccid areflexic paralysis below the level of the injury with autonomic features (e.g., hypotension and bradycardia ). [amboss.com]

During this period, there is complete absence of reflex and autonomic activity below the level of the injury with flaccid paralysis. [casemed.case.edu]

[…] areflexic paralysis bradycardia & hypotension (due to loss of sympathetic tone) absent bulbocavernosus reflex reflex characterized by anal sphincter contraction in response [orthobullets.com]

Myasthenic Crisis

In this case, excessive ACh stimulation of striated muscle at nicotinic junctions produces flaccid muscle paralysis that is clinically indistinguishable from weakness due [medscape.com]

weaknesses in swallowing and chewing, dysarthria and symmetrical flaccid paralysis of limbs. [nnjournal.net]

Botulism: botulinum toxin damages the presynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions, leading to extraocular muscle paralysis, dilation of pupil but retarded light reflex [nnjournal.net]

Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The examination may show all the characteristic findings of a lower motor neuron disease, namely absent/decreased reflexes, hypotonia, flaccid paralysis and muscle fasciculations [symptoma.com]

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

paralysis caudal to injury due to spinal shock, followed by residual signs due to damage to spinal cord tissue. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Flaccid paralysis Scoliosis Bed sores: Long term paraplegia may lead to pressure sores Respiratory failure Death Spinal muscular atrophy is transmitted via an autosomal-recessive [symptoma.com]

[…] compression (above). spinal tap see spinal puncture (above). spinal trauma temporary or permanent dislocation of one or more spinal vertebrae; or fracture; causes immediate flaccid [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Myasthenia Gravis

In this case, excessive ACh stimulation of striated muscle at nicotinic junctions produces flaccid muscle paralysis that is clinically indistinguishable from weakness due [emedicine.medscape.com]