Pediatric anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis and bilateral optic neuritis: An updated review

Abstract

We present the case report of a 6-year-old girl with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis associated with bilateral optic neuritis. She initially presented with disturbing behaviors and gait impairments and was hospitalized in the context of meningoencephalitis, without agent isolation and with inconclusive laboratory tests. After discharge, she noted a loss of vision with impaired color sensation and returned to the emergency department. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/400 in both eyes, and fundoscopy revealed bilateral optic disc edema. She was hospitalized once again. Anti-NMDAR antibodies were detected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was successfully treated with a pulse of methylprednisolone, followed by a tapering regimen of prednisolone. She recovered to 20/20 vision in the right eye and left eye. Our report highlights additional aspects of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in children and suggests that the disease could present atypical visual manifestations, which requires multidisciplinary approaches.

Keywords

• anti-n-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis
• autoimmune disturbance
• bilateral optic disc edema
• neurological deficits
• pediatric encephalitis