Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

Absolutely healthy children of any age can spontaneously develop antibodies which bind to certain brain structures, the so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The binding of these antibodies blocks the receptors and causes slowly progressive mental disorders, motor abnormalities, and seizures. The paper describes a clinical case of a disease in a 9-year-old female patient. The disease onset is marked by the manifestation of prodromal flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, and general weakness, followed by neuropsychiatric symptoms and impairments in memory and speech. Further progression of the disease caused convulsive status and later coma. The final diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis was established after the complete blood count test identified anti-NMDA receptor antibodies.

children, encephalitis, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies, convulsions, neuropsychiatric signs, treatment