title: Narcolepsy-cataplexy: is streptococcal infection a trigger?
abstract: Narcolepsy-cataplexy is an uncommon sleep disorder which may present in childhood. We report a case of an 8-year-old presenting with narcolepsy-cataplexy following a streptococcal infection. Autoimmune etiology for narcolepsy has been suggested. In our patient increased anti-streptolysin O and anti-DNAse B titers were noted. As suggested by recent cases, the streptococcal infection was likely a trigger for narcolepsy onset in this genetically predisposed child. The patient was initially diagnosed as having Sydenham chorea due to motor movements. However, these transient movements may be due to the narcolepsy onset. Narcolepsy in childhood may present with atypical symptoms; it might be difficult to obtain accurate history and can be misdiagnosed as in the reported case. A high index of clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Niranjana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Sejal V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Hina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hallinan
authors.forename: Narong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simakajornboon
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D017286:Polysomnography; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Narcolepsy; streptococcal infection