Neuromyelitis optica in children: a review of the literature

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare and severe inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which constitutes up to 5% of pediatric aquired demyelinating diseases. The optic nerves and the spinal cord are the most affected sites. The discovery of an autoantibody called NMO-IgG,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eda Derle, H Nalan Güneş, Bahadır Konuşkan, Aslı Tuncer-Kurne
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health 2014-12-01
Series:The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
Online Access:https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/1427
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Summary:Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare and severe inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which constitutes up to 5% of pediatric aquired demyelinating diseases. The optic nerves and the spinal cord are the most affected sites. The discovery of an autoantibody called NMO-IgG, which targets aquaporin-4, the main water channel in the CNS, gave a new direction to understanding the underlying immunologic mechanisms. This specific biomarker also helps to distinguish the disease from other demyelinating disorders. Here, we review the clinical and paraclinical features, immunological properties and treatment options of the disease as reported in the literature.
ISSN:0041-4301
2791-6421