Etiological and Clinical Profile of Acute Nonbacterial Encephalitis in Children: A Single-Center Prospective Study.

Encephalitis is a serious neurological syndrome caused by inflammation of the brain. The diagnosis can be challenging and etiology remains unidentified in about half of the pediatric cases. We aimed to investigate demographic, clinical, laboratory, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging findings, and outcome of acute encephalitis of nonbacterial etiology. This prospective study included children hospitalized with the diagnosis of acute encephalitis between 2017 and 2019. Microbiological investigations of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were recorded. All CSF specimens were tested for anti-N methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies. In total, 31 children aged 10 months to 17 years (median = 6 years) were included. Pathogens were confirmed in CSF in three patients (9.7%): varicella zoster virus, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and both HSV-1 and NMDAR antibodies. Presenting features included encephalopathy (100%), fever (80.6%), seizure (45.2%), focal neurological signs (29%), and ataxia (19.4%). On clinical follow-up of median 9 (6-24) months, six patients showed neurological deficits: together with two patients who died in hospital, total eight (25.8%) patients were considered to have unfavorable outcome. Need for intubation, receiving immunomodulatory treatment, prolonged hospitalization, and high erythrocyte sedimentation rate at admission were associated with unfavorable outcome. The etiology of encephalitis remains unexplained in the majority of children. HSV-1 is the most frequently detected virus, consistent with the literature. The fact that anti-NMDAR encephalitis was detected in one child suggests autoimmune encephalitis not being rare in our center. The outcome is favorable in the majority while about one-fifth of cases suffer from sequelae.

Long-term effects of vagus nerve stimulation in refractory pediatric epilepsy: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used as an adjunctive therapy for both children and adults with refractory epilepsy, over the last two decades. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effects and tolerability of VNS in the pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and to identify the predictive factors for responsiveness to VNS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who underwent VNS implantation between 1997 and 2018. Patients with ≥50% reduction of seizure frequency compared with the baseline were defined as "responders". The clinical characteristics of responders and nonresponders were compared. RESULTS: A total of 58 children (male/female: 40/18) with a mean follow-up duration of 5.7 years (3 months to 20 years) were included. The mean age at implantation was 12.4 years (4.5 to 18.5 years). Approximately half (45%) of our patients were responders, including 3 patients (5.8%) who achieved seizure freedom during follow-up. The age of seizure-onset, duration of epilepsy, age at implantation, and etiologies of epilepsy showed no significant difference between responders and nonresponders. Responders were more likely to have focal or multifocal epileptiform discharges (63%) on interictal electroencephalogram (EEG), when compared to nonresponders (36%) (p = .07). Vocal disturbances and paresthesias were the most common side effects, and in two patients, VNS was removed because of local reaction. CONCLUSION: Our series had a diverse etiological profile and patients with transition to adult care. Long-term follow-up showed that VNS is an effective and well-tolerated treatment modality for refractory childhood onset epilepsy. Age at implantation, duration of epilepsy and underlying etiology are not found to be predictors of responsiveness to VNS. Higher response rates were observed for a subset of patients with focal epileptiform discharges.

Epilepsy in neurofibromatosis type 1: Diffuse cerebral dysfunction?

INTRODUCTION: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is accompanied by epileptic seizures in 4-7% of patients. We examined clinical, electrophysiological, and radiological features associated with epilepsy in our NF1 series in order to identify risk factors. METHODS: We reviewed data of 641 pediatric patients with NF1 diagnosis according to National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria in Hacettepe University records from January 2008-August 2018. Demographic features, NF1-related clinical and imaging characteristics, age at onset of epilepsy, seizure semiology, and frequency, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and response to treatment were noted. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with NF1, 15 male, 11 female, had epilepsy. Age at seizure onset was 6 months to 13 years. Seizure semiology was focal with impaired awareness (n = 9, 34%), focal aware motor (n = 2, 8%), focal to bilateral tonic-clonic (n = 3, 12%), generalized tonic-clonic (n = 7, 28%), absence (n = 3, 12%), infantile spasms (n = 1), and unclassified type (n = 1). None had a history of status epilepticus. The EEG findings were normal for age in ten patients (38%). Others had focal (n = 8, 30%), generalized (n = 7, 27%), or multifocal (n = 1, 4%) discharges. On brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity changes typical for NF1 (neurofibromatosis bright objects, NBOs) were the most common finding (80%), followed by normal MRI (20%). There was no relation between the localization of NBOs and discharges on EEG. Seventeen patients (65%) were seizure-free at the time of the study; 11 of them still under medication including four on multiple antiepileptic drugs. The rate of learning problems and NBO were significantly higher in patients with NF1 with epilepsy compared to those without. DISCUSSION: Epilepsy in NF1 is associated with relatively infrequent seizures and good response to treatment. Learning disorders are markedly frequent in this group, irrespective of the severity of epilepsy. The absence of correlation between the localizations of epileptiform discharges and lesions on MRI support the role of cellular or synaptic mechanisms rather than structural causes in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.

Treatment in childhood central nervous system demyelinating disorders.

The last two decades witnessed significant advances in the treatment of acquired demyelinating disorders: thirteen new agents have been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis in adults by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration in the last twenty years. Although the long-term efficacy and safety profiles of some new drugs are still being assessed in paediatric MS, clinicians may have to use them in the management of paediatric onset MS resistant to first-line medications, based on results obtained in adult-onset disease. This review summarizes the current approach to treatment in children with demyelinating syndromes. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Serological markers affect management in paediatric demyelinating diseases. Antibodies against aquaporin-4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein should be tested in children with acute demyelinating disease. New therapeutic agents currently in trial for pediatric disease should be used with close follow-up.

TRATAMIENTO EN LOS TRASTORNOS DESMIELINIZANTES DEL SISTEMA NERVIOSO CENTRAL INFANTIL: Las últimas dos décadas fueron testigos de avances significativos en el tratamiento de los trastornos desmielinizantes adquiridos, como lo demuestra la aprobación de 13 nuevos agentes por parte de la Agencia Europea de Medicamentos y la Administración de Medicamentos y Alimentos de los EE. UU. para el tratamiento de la esclerosis múltiple en adultos. A pesar de ciertas preguntas sobre los perfiles de eficacia y seguridad de los nuevos tratamientos en niños, la expansión de las opciones terapéuticas proporciona flexibilidad en la toma de decisiones basada en la potencia, los riesgos y las preferencias del paciente. En los casos pediátricos resistentes a los medicamentos estándar, los médicos frecuentemente guían su manejo basándose en los resultados obtenidos en la enfermedad de aparición en la edad adulta. Esta revisión resume el enfoque actual del tratamiento en niños con síndromes desmielinizantes.

TRATAMENTO EM DESORDENS DESMIELINIZANTES DO SISTEMA NERVOSO CENTRAL NA INFÂNCIA: As últimas duas décadas testemunharam avanços significativos no tratamento de desordens desmielinizantes adquiridas: 13 novos agentes foram aprovados pela Agência Européia de Medicamentos e a Administração de Alimentos e Medicamentos dos EUA para o tratamento da esclerose múltipla em adultos. Apesar de a eficácia em longo prazo e segurança de novos tratamentos ainda estejam sendo avaliados em EM pediátrica, clínicos podem ter que utilizá-las no manejo de EM de início pediátrico resistente a medicamentos de primeira linha, com base em resultados obtidos em casos de doença de início na vida adulta. Esta revisão sintetiza a abordagem atual para o tratamento de crianças com síndromes desmielinizantes.

Multiple Sclerosis with Onset Younger Than 10 Years in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the demographics, clinical characteristics, disease course, treatment patterns, and disability levels of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with onset under the age of 10 years (early onset multiple sclerosis, EOMS). METHODS: EOMS patients were reviewed retrospectively in detailed records from 27 child neurology centers. Patients with preschool (≤7 years) and school age (>7 years) onset were compared. RESULTS: There were 30 children (16 girls, 14 boys) who have disease onset between 4 and 10 (mean8.1 ± 1.8) years. MS was relapsing-remitting in 29 (96.7%) and primary progressive in one (3.3%) of the patients. In patients with onset ≤7 years, motor symptoms (54.5%) and encephalopathy (45.5%) predominated, while in those with onset >7 years brainstem (42.1%), sensory (26.3%), and optic nerve (26.3%) involvement were the most frequent presentations. CONCLUSIONS: MS starting ≤7 years differs from the 7-10-year-old group by the higher rate of motor symptoms and more attacks in the first year: the latter suggests a more inflammatory character for EOMS.

Electroencephalographic findings in anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis in children: A series of 12 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (a-NMDARe) is an acute or subacute encephalopathy where electroencephalogram (EEG) is frequently obtained as part of the workup. Although no diagnostic EEG finding has been described so far, the definition of specific or typical patterns might help to distinguish this group among various encephalopathies of childhood. We examined EEG recordings of our patients with a-NMDARe in order to describe the most frequent findings. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data and digital EEG recordings of 12 pediatric patients diagnosed with a-NMDARe in two major child neurology centers are evaluated. RESULTS: We reviewed 43 EEG recordings from 12 children with a-NMDARe and followed their evolution for a median of 6 (range: 1-60) months. Initial EEG was abnormal in 11/12 patients. The most frequent finding was focal or diffuse slowing of the background rhythm. Generalized rhythmic delta activity, brief rhythmic discharges (BRDs), and occipital intermittent rhythmic delta activity (OIRDA) were seen in two patients each. Diffuse excess beta frequency activity was seen in three patients. Extreme delta brushes were observed in 5/12 (41.7%) patients, disappeared in 4-6months (two patients), or persisted at 10-17months (two patients). Epileptic activity was seen in seven patients (58%) and lateralized periodic discharges in one. On follow-up EEGs, most epileptic activity disappeared in a median of 8months. CONCLUSIONS: A normal EEG is rare in a-NMDARe. Focal or diffuse slowing, epileptic activity, and extreme delta brush are common findings. Epileptic activity in early EEGs do not persists in most patients. Severe diffuse slowing may predict neurological impairment if confirmed in larger series.

Assessment of Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with ß-Thalassemia via Electrophysiological Study: Reevaluation in the Era of Iron Chelators.

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the complications of ß-thalassemia (ß-thal) that has been investigated in limited reports. We aimed to detect the rate of peripheral neuropathy and risk factors for neuropathy development in patients with ß-thal. The study was performed in patients with ß-thal intermedia (ß-TI) or ß-thal major (ß-TM). Prospective electrophysiological studies were achieved via standard procedures. A total of 27 patients were enrolled in the study. Electrophysiological studies for both motor and sensory nerves were within normal range. In motor nerve studies, delayed peroneal nerve latency was found in patients with high ferritin levels, increased ulnar nerve amplitude was detected in patients ≥20 years old, and increased tibial nerve amplitude was seen in patients with low copper levels. We could not show peripheral neuropathy in our patients. Increased ferritin level, older age, and copper deficiency may cause mild changes in electrophysiological studies of motor nerves.

Unusual Presentations of Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoinflammatory disease that can involve any organ system; therefore, diagnosis can be challenging. Hereby, we present 4 cases that presented to pediatric emergency department with unusual clinical pictures of SLE. CASES: Case 1 presented with inability to walk or talk for the last 1 week as well as intermittent pain and swelling in her joints. Case 2 presented with generalized edema and severe dyspnea. Case 3 and 4 presented to pediatric emergency department with rashes on the legs. DISCUSSION: Systemic lupus erythematosus may mimic many clinical entities, and differential diagnosis may be difficult, especially if presentation is atypical. In every emergency physician, right diagnosis and prompt treatment are very important especially in life-threatening conditions such as cardiac involvement in SLE.

Acute Abducens Nerve Paralysis in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Analysis of 14 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Sixth cranial nerve (SCN) palsy is an uncommon but important neurological problem in patients admitted to pediatric emergency department. The underlying etiology of SCN palsy has a wide range from viral infections to intracranial tumors; therefore, a careful and systematic approach is necessary while examining these patients. METHODS: Fourteen patients who presented with acute SCN paralysis to pediatric emergency department during the last 10 years were examined. RESULTS: The age at the time of admission ranged between 14 months and 16 years (median, 9.5 years). Of the 14 patients, 5 were girls and 9 were boys. A total of 3 of the 14 patients had bilateral cranial nerve VI paralysis, and 9 patients had additional abnormal findings on neurological examination. Neuroimaging studies included cranial tomography (n = 3) and brain magnetic resonance imaging in all patients. The underlying etiology was malignancy (n = 3); glioma, medulloblastoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and dural sinus thrombosis (n = 2); as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome (n = 2), multiple sclerosis (n = 1), pseudotumor cerebri (n = 1), and meningitis (n = 1). The remaining 4 patients had miscellaneous benign etiologies. CONCLUSIONS: Other lesions of primary brain tumors causing increased intracranial pressure constitute 50% of the underlying etiology, followed by Guillain-Barre syndrome (14.2%). However, these patients had neurological symptoms signs, in addition to diplopia or SCN paralysis. Patients admitted to pediatric emergency department with acute SCN paralysis should be examined in detail to disclose the underlying etiology especially if they present with additional clinical signs or symptoms.

Mesenchymal stem cell application in children with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a serious, often fatal disease that responds poorly to current treatment modalities. Recently, the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to produce neurotrophic factors and inflammatory molecules has placed them among potential treatment agents for neurological conditions. We report the results of four patients treated with MSC for SSPE. The patients were followed up clinically, and by periodical laboratory evaluations, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalography. One patient deteriorated to stage III of the disease, two patients remained in the same stage, and one died from disease progression and respiratory problems. Neurological findings and electroencephalography scores were consistent with the clinical course of the patient whereas MRI showed new inflammatory lesions in two patients. This is the first report of the application of MSC in SSPE. No benefit is demonstrated.

The Diagnostic Utility of Contrast-Enhanced FLAIR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Pediatric Uveitis.

Objectives: Contrast-enhanced FLAIR fat-suppressed (CE-FLAIR-FS) imaging can potentially increase the diagnostic accuracy of uveal diseases and ultimately provide better patient management. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of CE-FLAIR-FS imaging versus contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI) in the assessment of pediatric patients with uveitis. Material and methods: Twenty-one children with uveitis who underwent whole brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including CE-FLAIR-FS and CE-T1WI, were retrospectively included in the study. We evaluated the presence of uveal tract contrast enhancement with thickening, vitreous humor signal abnormality, and accompanying brain abnormalities. The uveal enhancement intensity was assessed semiquantitatively as mild, moderate, and marked uveitis compared to CE-T1WI and CE-FLAIR-FS images. Results: Panuveitis (61.9%) was the most frequent anatomic location, and most of them were idiopathic (47.6%). Of the 42 eyes with clinical uveitis, enhancement of the uveal tract was observed on CE-FLAIR-FS images in 21 eyes (50%), while in 5 eyes (11.9%) on CE-T1WI. The sensitivity of CE-FLAIR-FS in panuveitis was detected to be quite high (80.8%). The number of affected eyes and enhancement degree were found to be higher on CE-FLAIR-FS (p < 0.001). In assessing the severity of uveitis, CE-FLAIR-FS grades were significantly higher and more sensitive than CE-T1WI (p < 0.001, Z: -4.347). Three patients had vitreous abnormal signals on CE-FLAIR-FS images, but none on CE-T1WI. Conclusion: CE-FLAIR-FS plays a significant role in the diagnosis of pediatric uveitis, identifying the involvement and severity of the uveal inflammation and guiding the appropriate management. It would be beneficial to add it as a standard sequence to the routine MRI protocol for uveal pathologies.

A Witteveen-Kolk Syndrome Patient with Reflux Disease and a de novo Deletion of the SIN3A Gene.

Introduction: The Witteveen-Kolk syndrome (WITKOS) (OMIM: 613406) is a heterogeneous emerging disorder caused by pathogenic variants or microdeletions encompassing the SIN3A gene (SIN3 Transcription Regulator Family Member A). It is characterized by distinctive facial features, developmental delay, intellectual disability, microcephaly, short stature, and subtle anomalies on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To date, about 50 patients have been reported in the medical literature. Patient Presentation: In this article, we reported a patient with classic findings of WITKOS including global developmental delay, microcephaly, hypotonia, vomiting, malnutrition, autistic and dysmorphic facial features, and cardiac abnormalities. Also, a barium esophagogram suggested severe motility disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Affymetrix CytoScan 750K microarray showed a de novo 1.6-Mb deletion at 15q24.1q24.2, including the whole SIN3A gene. We have also summarized the clinical features of WITKOS patients in the medical literature and cardiac abnormalities detected in 4 out of 10 patients in studies that clearly state that cardiac examination was performed in the patients. Conclusion: Our findings showed that cardiac defects are not uncommon findings in WITKOS. Physicians should also be aware of reflux disease and motility disorder in patients with feeding difficulty together with early cardiac examination in terms of an improved quality of life in WITKOS patients.

Triggers and clinical changes of childhood primary headache characteristics during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

OBJECTIVE: Children with primary headache are particularly vulnerable to the negative impacts of the pandemic due to factors like increased social isolation, disruption of sleep and impairment of healthy diet. We aimed to investigate the clinical changes and triggering factors for childhood primary headaches to demonstrate the impact of the pandemic lockdown. METHOD: Children aged between 60 months and 18 years with headache complaint attending the general outpatient clinic between December 2019 and December 2020 were included in the study. Patients were classified according to ICHD-3 regarding clinical and laboratory data. Primary headaches diagnosed before (December 2019-March 2020) and during the pandemic lockdown (April 2020-December 2020) were divided into two groups as migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). Clinical picture and triggering factors were compared between groups to illustrate the effect of the lockdown. RESULTS: The study included 612 subjects, with 463 patients (76%) classified in the primary headache group and 149 (24%) in the secondary headache group. Among the first group, 267 patients (58%) had migraine and 196 patients (42%) had TTH. Comparisons between before and during the pandemic lockdown showed significant increased frequency of TTH, but no difference in the frequency and duration of migraine. Both screen exposure and sleep pattern changes were found to be significantly increased in the TTH group during the pandemic lockdown. DISCUSSION: We found a significant increase in the attack frequency for TTH patients during the pandemic lockdown. Reduction in screen time is an important strategy in preventing primary headache attacks in children.

Narrative review based on fingolimod therapy in pediatric MS.

The course of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis and adult multiple sclerosis shows some clinical differences. The rate of having a second attack after the first clinical event is 80% in children and around 45% in adults but the time to the second event is similar in all age groups. The pediatric group usually has a more aggressive onset than adults. On the other hand, a higher rate of complete recovery is observed in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis after the first clinical event compared to the adult group. Despite a highly active initial disease course, pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis patients show a slower increase in disability than patients with adult-onset disease. This is thought to be due to greater remyelination capacity and plasticity of the developing brain. The management of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis includes safety issues as well as effective disease control. In the pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis group, similar to adult multiple sclerosis, injectable treatments have been used for many years with reasonable efficacy and safety. Since 2011, oral treatments and then infusion treatments have been approved and used effectively in adult multiple sclerosis and have gradually entered clinical use in the pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis group. However, clinical trials are fewer, smaller, and include shorter follow-up due to the much lower prevalence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis than adult multiple sclerosis. This is particularly important in the era of recent disease-modifying treatments. This review of the literature presents existing data on the safety and efficacy of fingolimod, pointing to a relatively favorable profile.

Clinically important intracranial abnormalities in children presenting with first focal seizure.

BACKGROUND: Management of pediatric patients presenting with first seizure is challenging, especially with regards to emergent neuroimaging. The rate of abnormal neuroimaging findings is known to be higher in focal seizures than in generalized seizures, but those intracranial abnormalities are not always clinically emergent. In this study, we aimed to determine the rate and indicators for clinically important intracranial abnormalities that change acute management in children presenting with a first focal seizure to the pediatric emergency department (PED). METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively in the PED at a University Children`s Hospital setting. The study population consisted of patients aged between 30 days and 18 years with first focal seizure and who had emergent neuroimaging at the PED between the years 2001 and 2012. RESULTS: There were 65 eligible patients meeting the study criteria. Clinically important intracranial abnormalities requiring emergent neurosurgical or medical intervention were detected in 18 patients (27.7%) at the PED. Four patients (6.1%) underwent emergent surgical procedures. Seizure recurrence and the need for acute seizure treatment in the PED were significantly associated with clinically important intracranial abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroimaging study yielding of 27.7% shows that first focal seizure must be evaluated meticulously. From the emergency department`s point of view; we suggest that first focal seizures in children should be evaluated with emergent neuroimaging, if possible with magnetic resonance imaging. Especially patients with recurrent seizures at presentation requires more careful evaluation.

Role of serostatus in pediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A nationwide multicentric study.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are immune-mediated inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) mostly presenting as optic neuritis and acute myelitis. NMOSD can be associated with seropositivity for aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4 IgG), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG IgG), or can be seronegative for both. In this study, we retrospectively examined our seropositive and seronegative pediatric NMOSD patients. METHOD: Data were collected from all participating centres nationwide. Patients diagnosed with NMOSD were divided into three subgroups according to serology: AQP4 IgG NMOSD, MOG IgG NMOSD, and double seronegative (DN) NMOSD. Patients with at least six months of follow-up were compared statistically. RESULTS: The study included 45 patients, 29 female and 16 male (ratio:1.8), mean age 15.16 ± 4.93 (range 5.5-27) years. Age at onset, clinical manifestations, and cerebrospinal fluid findings were similar between AQP4 IgG NMOSD (n = 17), MOG IgG NMOSD (n = 10), and DN NMOSD (n = 18) groups. A polyphasic course was more frequent in the AQP4 IgG and MOG IgG NMOSD groups than DN NMOSD (p = 0.007). The annualized relapse rate and rate of disability were similar between groups. Most common types of disability were related to optic pathway and spinal cord involvement. Rituximab in AQP4 IgG NMOSD, intravenous immunoglobulin in MOG IgG NMOSD, and azathioprine in DN NMOSD were usually preferred for maintenance treatment. CONCLUSION: In our series with a considerable number of double seronegatives, the three major serological groups of NMOSD were indistinguishable based on clinical and laboratory findings at initial presentation. Their outcome is similar in terms of disability, but seropositive patients should be more closely followed-up for relapses.

Case series of mercury toxicity among children in a hot, closed environment.

Mercury poisoning is much more prevalent in the general population than possibly many physicians realize. We present data on 26 pediatric cases with mercury intoxication from exposure to mercury by inhalation or skin contact as a result of a broken thermometer in a school laboratory. This is the largest pediatric series in Turkey. During a 3-month period, the study team observed the children for clinical symptoms, physical findings, and blood and mercury levels. Of all patients, 21 inhaled, 3 inhaled and touched the element, and 2 took the mercury home. Sixteen children were symptomatic at admission, although blood mercury levels in the symptomatic children were higher than those in asymptomatic children (P = 0.003). The urine mercury levels were not statistically different between the groups at the admission (P > 0.05). The exposure times were 3.5 and 2 hours for symptomatic and asymptomatic children, respectively (P = 0.003). The 2 children who took the mercury home had the highest blood mercury levels and the most prolonged exposure time. N-acetylcysteine and chelation treatments were started in 21 children who had symptoms of mercury intoxication and high mercury levels in their blood or urine. No adverse effects were observed during chelation therapy. Prompt removal of children from contaminated environments and proper decontamination or elimination of devices containing large amounts of mercury from schools are necessary to prevent serious complications caused by exposure to mercury.

Frequency of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Ab) are associated with acute demyelinating syndromes and only rarely detected in multiple sclerosis (MS). As MOG-Ab associated disease is common in childhood, we speculated young patients might be more likely to produce MOG-Ab and investigated the frequency of MOG-Ab seropositivity in pediatric onset MS (POMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who experienced their first acute demyelinating event before age 18 years and were diagnosed with MS during follow-up were included in this single-center study. Patient data were retrieved from clinical records. Serum samples obtained and frozen at clinical visits were analyzed for MOG-Ab by a live cell-based assay (CBA) measuring delta mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and MFI ratio. The control group consisted of patients referred to pediatric neurology for headache or vertigo and who had no neurological disorder (n = 48). Another control group consisted of patients with systemic inflammatory disorders systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 17) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n = 13) diagnosed in the rheumatology clinic. RESULTS: The patient group (n = 122, F/M: 90/32, mean age 17.8 ± 2.6 years) were initially diagnosed as: MS, 62/122 (50.8%), clinically isolated syndrome, 43/122 (35.2%), radiologically isolated syndrome, 9/122 (7.3%), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis 8/122 (6.5%). All received the final diagnosis of POMS. Serum was sampled 22.4 ± 29.2 (0-132) months after the first episode. None of the control groups had MOG-Ab positivity while 2/122 (1.6%) POMS cases had MOG-Abs, and a third patient had positive MFI and a MFI ratio slightly below the cut-off. These three patients' initial and final diagnoses were MS, their annualized relapsing rates (ARRs) were 0.4-0.6, and most recent Expanded Disability Status Scale was 0. CONCLUSION: Low titers of MOG-Ab can be detected in a small number of POMS patients at similar frequency with adult MS. Our POMS cases with MOG-Abs presented brainstem-cerebellar findings or seizures and had low ARR. Further series and longer follow-up will define whether these cases differ significantly from MOG-Ab negative POMS cases.

Synthetic MRI in children with tuberous sclerosis complex.

OBJECTIVE: The generation of numerous sequences and quantitative data in a short scanning time is the most potential advantage of Synthetic MRI (SyMRI). We aimed to test detection of the tubers and to determine underlying tissue characteristics, and morphometric alterations in the brain of pediatric tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) patients, using SyMRI. METHODS: Conventional brain MRI (cMRI) and SyMRI were prospectively obtained from 10 TSC patients and 18 healthy control subjects (HCs). Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated tubers on both scans. Additionally, automatically segmented volume calculation and myelin quantification, including the subcortical part of the tubers and normal-appearing brain parenchyma (NABP) of patients, were carried out using SyMRI. RESULTS: The cMRI and SyMRI comparison showed a very good correlation on the detection of the tubers (k = 0.82-0.94). Automatic segmentation of Non-gray matter/white matter/cerebrospinal fluid (Non), %Non/brain parenchymal volume, and %Non/intracranial volume was significantly higher; however, %Myelin/intracranial volume and %Myelin/brain parenchymal volume were significantly lower in the TSC patients (p < 0.05). The proton density values were significantly increased, and myelin fraction volume and myelin-correlated compound values were significantly decreased in the NABP in TSC patients on myelin maps (p < 0.05). The white-matter volume, myelin and white-matter fractional volume, longitudinal relaxation rate, transverse relaxation rate, and myelin-correlated compound values were significantly decreased in the subcortical part of tubers on quantification maps (p < 0.001) in TSC patients. CONCLUSION: SyMRI enables the detection of cortical tubers and is a developing tool in the quantification of morphometric and tissue alterations in pediatric TSC patients with a rational scanning time.

Comparison of serum anti-neuronal antibody levels in patients having autism spectrum disorder with and without regression.

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) may present with a delay in social and communication development, or less frequently, with regression in social and language skills. The reasons for this difference in clinical presentation are unknown, and the regressive symptoms in the second group suggest an acquired process. METHODS: We investigated serum autoantibodies in these two types of ASD in a cross-sectional design in a total of 50 children, 24 with autistic regression and 26 with classical ASD according to the DSM-5 criteria. Clinical assessment by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Ankara Developmental Screening Test (ADST), parental questionnaires consisting of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Autism Behavior Checklist (AuBC) were completed. Serum samples were tested for anti-neuronal antibodies including anti-N-methyl-Daspartate receptor (NMDAR), anti-contactin-associated protein (CASPR2), anti-leucine rich glioma inactivated 1 (LG1), anti-glutamate type 2-amino-3-propionic Acid (AMPA) 1-2, anti-gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) B, anti-dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX) and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65(GAD). RESULTS: Serum anti-GAD antibodies were at detectable levels in five (20.8%) patients with autistic regression, of whom three had 2 to 4-fold increased titers, and in none of the patients with classical ASD. The age of the father at the patient`s birth and the duration of autistic regression correlated with anti-GAD IgG levels (P: 0,045, P: 0.855 respectively) in the ASD-regression group. No other antibodies were detected in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not suggest a causative role of anti-neuronal antibodies, but the possibility of an autoimmune process accompanying regressive symptoms in a small subgroup of ASD.