1. Pediatric anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis-clinical analysis and novel findings in a series of 20 patients.
- Author
-
Armangue T, Titulaer MJ, Málaga I, Bataller L, Gabilondo I, Graus F, and Dalmau J
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Brain pathology, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Immunotherapy methods, Infant, Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods, Male, Pediatrics methods, Spain, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis blood, Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis diagnosis
- Abstract
Objective: To report the clinical features of 20 pediatric patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis., Study Design: Review of clinical data, long-term follow-up, and immunologic studies performed in a single center in Spain in the last 4 years., Results: The median age of the patients was 13 years (range, 8 months-18 years), 70% were female. In 12 patients (60%), the initial symptoms were neurologic, usually dyskinesias or seizures, and in the other 40% psychiatric. One month into the disease, all patients had involuntary movements and alterations of behavior and speech. All patients received steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange, and 7 rituximab or cyclophosphamide. With a median follow up of 17.5 months, 85% had substantial recovery, 10% moderate or severe deficits, and 1 died. Three patients had previous episodes compatible with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, 2 of them with additional relapses after the diagnosis of the disorder. Ovarian teratoma was identified in 2 patients, 1 at onset of encephalitis and the other 1 year later. Two novel observations (1 patient each) include, the identification of an electroencephalographic pattern ("extreme delta brush") considered characteristic of this disorder, and the development of anti-NMDAR encephalitis as post herpes simplex encephalitis choreoathetosis., Conclusions: The initial symptoms of pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis vary from those of the adults (more neurologic and less psychiatric in children), the development of a mono-symptomatic illness is extremely rare (except in relapses), and most patients respond to treatment. Our study suggests a link between post herpes simplex encephalitis choreoathetosis and anti-NMDAR encephalitis., (Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF