Risk factors for the occurrence and recurrence of acute cerebellar ataxia: a retrospective observational study

Objective There is little evidence to support a correlation between abdominal surgery and acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA). We reviewed the records of children with ACA treated at our institution to analyze risk factors for ACA. Methods Clinical data of 442 children with ACA treated at Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between November 2015 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors for the occurrence and recurrence of ACA. Results In total, 442 children with ACA were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age (p = 0.009), infection (p < 0.001), vaccination (p < 0.001), head trauma (p < 0.001), intussusception surgery (IS) (p < 0.001), operation for indirect inguinal hernia (p < 0.001), and operation for congenital gastrointestinal malformation (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for ACA occurrence. Univariate analysis showed that only IS (p < 0.001) was associated with ACA recurrence. Conclusions Surgeons should be aware that age, infection, vaccination, head trauma, and history of abdominal surgery are associated with ACA, while IS is a risk factor for ACA recurrence.