2. Motor Skill Regression: The Backslide
A child’s first steps, their first word, their ability to feed themselves, each of these milestones is a joyous occasion for parents. Now imagine watching as these hard-won developmental skills gradually disappear.
That’s the reality of motor skill regression, a distressing symptom of leukodystrophy. While this sign can be particularly prevalent and noticeable in infants and young children, it also occurs in adults, albeit less commonly.
Motor skill regression is indeed a heartbreaking symptom. Parents may observe that their children are suddenly struggling with tasks they had previously accomplished with ease.
For example, a child might be unable to sit up unassisted or show difficulty crawling or walking. These backward slides in development can be perplexing and emotionally distressing for families, particularly when the child has previously shown normal growth and development.
This regression can be attributed to the damage leukodystrophy inflicts on the white matter of the brain. The brain’s white matter houses the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting signals that control motor skills. When leukodystrophy strikes, these fibers degenerate, disrupting the signaling and resulting in the loss of motor skills. (2)
