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Revista Paraguaya de Reumatología
On-line version ISSN 2413-4341
Abstract
MARTINEZ, Jessica Mariana Suárez et al. Autoimmune encephalitis due to antibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor: Case series in children. Rev. parag. reumatol. [online]. 2022, vol.8, n.1, pp.21-26. ISSN 2413-4341. https://doi.org/10.18004/rpr/2022.08.01.21.
We describe a case series of pediatric patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) due to antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, treated in tertiary hospitals in Mexico and Paraguay, and their evolution with immunotherapy. The predominant symptoms were fever, sleep disorders, hallucinations, dyskinesias, choreoathetotic movements, spasticity, seizures, and dysautonomia. Patients were treated with IVIG and IV methylprednisolone as first line therapy. In some cases, use of plasmapheresis and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies was required. Timely treatment initiation was related to a shorter hospital stay and less development of complications. Timely diagnosis should be emphasized, implementing its identification based on the clinical picture and supporting the diagnosis with adequate serological tests and CSF findings, thus favoring the start of early treatment to reduce complications and days of hospitalization.
Keywords : Autoimmune encephalitis; anti-NMDA antibodies; children; pediatric.