A 12-year-old girl has just recovered from chickenpox. Now, her parents report that she has difficulty walking and seems unsteady. What condition may be the cause, and what are the next steps?
This child may be experiencing cerebellar ataxia, a complication of chickenpox that can occur in the weeks following the infection. It is characterized by a lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements and can cause difficulties with balance and walking. An urgent neurologic evaluation should be initiated, including neuroimaging like a CT or MRI to rule out other causes.