S. Korez
Otroški oddelek, SB Celje, Celje, Slovenija

M. Arnež
Klinika za infekcijske bolezni in vročinska stanja, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Japljeva 2, 1525 Ljubljana

Abstract

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a perceptual disorder, principally involving visual and somesthetic integration. The syndrome consists of metamorphopsia (objects appear disproportional), alterations in experiencing their perception of their own body, colours and shape of objects. Some people experience micropsia (objects appear smaller), teleopsia (objects appear more distant), peleopsia (objects appear closer) or macropsia (objects appear greater). People can have an alteration in the perception of time (either very fast or very slow progression). The literary basis is the English writer Lewis Carrol’s fantasy story, Alice in Wonderland, written more than 150 years ago, in which the main character, a girl named Alice, experiences the majority of the above-mentioned symptoms. There are several theories about the origin of symptoms, but the basis is thought to be decreases perfusion of parts of the brain involving the visual pathways or in visual centres. The most common aetiological factors for AIWS are infections, mainly viral, migraine, epilepsy and intoxication. AIWS is more common in children and adolescents. The course depends on the underlying condition. If there is no pathological substrate, the course is mainly benign, as it is fortunately in most cases. There are reports of the development of migraine or epilepsy in later life.

Key words: Alice in Wonderland syndrome, migraine, epilepsy, infection.