Rapid onset of altered mental status with progressive autonomic instability and hypoventilation in a 2-year-old male

Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis should be suspected in children who report with acute behavioral change, seizures, and non-specific movement disorders. While historically associated with adolescent females with ovarian teratoma, anti-NMDAR encephalitis has now been described...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ramin Nazari, Carlos A Carmona-Jr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hacettepe University Institute of Child Health 2019-12-01
Series:The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://turkjpediatr.org/article/view/797
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis should be suspected in children who report with acute behavioral change, seizures, and non-specific movement disorders. While historically associated with adolescent females with ovarian teratoma, anti-NMDAR encephalitis has now been described in the pediatric population of both sexes. These patients display the neurological and psychiatric manifestations similar to females but lack a tumor. We report a two-year-old previously healthy young male who presented with alteration in speech, seizures, and extra pyramidal movement disorders. He was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serology for anti-NMDAR antibodies. In this case report, we describe the clinical presentation, course of illness, investigation, and management of our patient. We conclude by emphasizing three observations and insights from our case compared to what is mentioned in the literature.
ISSN:0041-4301
2791-6421