title: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in a pre-teenage girl: a case report.
abstract: Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is an auto-immune and paraneoplastic encephalitis which generally affects young adults. It is a multistage illness, with prominent extrapyramidal, neuropsychiatric and autonomic symptoms. The syndrome is frequently associated with an ovarian teratoma. Recently, it has become evident that anti-NMDAR encephalitis is more common in children and adolescents than was previously believed. Prognostic factors that determine a good outcome are presence of a tumour, prompt treatment and no need for admission to an intensive care unit. Increased awareness among paediatricians of this potentially life-threatening disease is important because early recognition and treatment will improve the patients' chances of a good clinical outcome. In this case report, we describe a 9-year-old girl with behavioural changes and severe extrapyramidal symptoms due to anti-NMDAR encephalitis associated with an ovarian teratoma. She was treated with a variety of immunomodulating therapies and made a slow, but good recovery.
authors.affiliation: Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Room H2-218, P.O. Box 22700, 1100, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nijmeijer
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bontemps
authors.forename: Leonie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Naeije
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coutinho
mesh_terms: D060426:Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans