Pediatric Movement Disorders - Diagnostic Methods

Routine Studies

Routine laboratory tests include measurements of chemicals in blood and urine. The "standard" tests include routine chemistry (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose), and a complete blood count (CBC: red and white blood cell counts and subtypes, and platelet count). If infection or autoimmune disease is suspected, then tests of immune activation, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, antinuclear antibody (ANA), and other tests are available. If metabolic disease is suspected, then amino acids, carnitine, lactic acid, ammonia, or other chemicals may be measured in blood and a urine sample may be analyzed for organic acids. Many diseases have specific tests that must be ordered. The choice of appropriate tests is determined by the symptoms and the history of the illness.