Tics: the most frequent movement disorders in children

Abstract

Tics are the most frequent movement disorders during childhood; their highest prevalence occurs during school age. Most tics are transient but some of them may have serious repercussions from the educational, familial, and social points of view, leading to school failure, low self-esteem, and social dysfunction. Some tics are related to the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and to other diseases that should be opportunely and adequately treated. In this review on tics the following aspects are included: epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, characterization, associated diseases, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.