Myokymia can affect boy's growth if not properly treated - Specialist

Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar

By Noor Shamsiah Mohamed

KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Myokymia, an ailment afflicting Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir, 12, of Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Bukit Dahlia, Pasir Gudang, can adversely affect his growth if not properly treated, says a specialist.

Explaining about myokymia, Malaysian Public Health Specialist Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the growth disorder was one of the myokymia long-term effects apart from emotional disorders experienced by the boy due to his disability caused by nerve disorders.

“Myokymia is not a new disease in the country, it is a medical term for nervous disorders involving either central nerves or other nerves that cause involuntary muscular movements.

“For example, we may have experienced our eye twitching or involuntary muscles contractions, this can also be called as myokymia due to brain and nerve disorders,” he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Dr Zainal said it could also happen to other limbs including feet and hands, depending on the cause of nerve disorders.

Dr Zainal, who is also a former director of the Pahang Health Department, said based on medical journals there were many factors that could cause someone to suffer from myokymia, including tumours in the brain or other nerves as well as excessive caffeine intake.

In Irfan Wafiy’s case, he said: “It requires detailed study by specialist to see whether it occurs at one place or affecting other limbs as well.

“Blood tests also need to be done to see if there is toxic poisoning besides the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test, CT Scan (scanning computer tomography scanning),” he said.

The specialists at the Sultan Ismail Hospital were previously reported to have performed various procedures including MRI to identify the cause of the boy’s involuntary muscles trembling before he was diagnosed with myokymia after being referred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for further treatment.

-- BERNAMA