Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40881101›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of clinical pediatrics2025

Unraveling functional neurological disorder in pediatric populations: A systematic review of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Mohammed Al-Beltagi, Nermin Kamal Saeed, Adel Salah Bediwy, Eman A Bediwy, Reem Elbeltagi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in World journal of clinical pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Observational
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Mohammed Al-BeltagiDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31511, Alghrabia, Egypt.
Nermin Kamal SaeedMedical Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, ‎Governmental Hospitals, Manama 12, Bahrain.
Adel Salah BediwyDepartment of Pulmonology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Alghrabia, Egypt.
Eman A BediwyDepartment of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Algharbia, Egypt.
Reem ElbeltagiDepartment of Mediciene, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Busaiteen 15503, Muharraq, Bahrain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional neurological disorder (FND) in children is a complex and multifaceted condition characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by organic pathology. Despite its prevalence, FND in pediatric populations remains under-researched, with challenges in diagnosis and management.

aimTo synthesize the current literature on FND in children, focusing on clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, for articles published up to August 2024. Studies were included if they addressed FND in pediatric populations, specifically focusing on review articles, research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, guidelines, expert opinions, and editorials. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to PRISMA guidelines. A total of 308 articles were included in the final analysis.

resultsThe analysis included 189 review articles, 57 research articles, 3 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, 5 case reports, 2 guidelines, 5 expert opinions, and 2 editorials. Key findings revealed a broad spectrum of symptoms, including motor and sensory disturbances and psychological factors contributing to the onset and persistence of FND. Diagnostic challenges were frequently highlighted, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches. Treatment strategies varied, with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and multidisciplinary care emerging as the most effective approaches. The outcomes varied, with early intervention being critical for a better prognosis.

conclusionEarly diagnosis and multidisciplinary care, including CBT, are critical for improving outcomes in pediatric FND. Standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols are needed to enhance clinical management.

Indexed as

ChildrenCognitive-behavioral therapyConversion disorderDiagnosisFunctional neurological disorderMultidisciplinary carePediatric neurologyPsychogenic disordersTreatment outcomes

Identifiers

PMID40881101
PMCPMC12305079

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.