In which pediatric disorder would you expect to see "sugar tongue"?

In the context of pediatric neurology, the term "sugar tongue" refers to a specific oral phenomenon associated with myasthenia gravis. This condition is characterized by muscle weakness that can affect various muscle groups, including those involved in speech and swallowing. The "sugar tongue" appearance arises from the patient having a thickened, often swollen tongue that can resemble the texture of sugar.

During episodes of weakness, children with myasthenia gravis may have difficulty controlling the muscles of the tongue and mouth, leading to this distinctive appearance. The muscles that are primarily affected in this condition are the ones involved in facial expression and speech, which can result in many oral manifestations, including the "sugar tongue."

In contrast, while cerebral palsy may involve oral-motor difficulties, it does not specifically present with this characteristic feature. Similarly, spinal muscular atrophy might also lead to muscle weakness, but the specific description of a "sugar tongue" is not typical of that disorder. Lastly, epileptic encephalopathy primarily involves seizures and cognitive impairments rather than structural or muscular changes to the tongue. Thus, the association of "sugar tongue" is uniquely related to myasthenia gravis among the options presented.