title: [Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: two paediatric cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Encephalitis associated to anti-N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies is an autoimmune neurological pathology that has been reported increasingly more frequently in the paediatric population in recent years. We report two cases from our own experience with similar clinical pictures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case 1: a 5-year-old girl who began with clinical signs and symptoms of convulsions and altered consciousness, associated to movement disorders and regression of previously acquired abilities that developed into autism. Case 2: a 13-year-old girl who presented left-side hemiparesis, abnormal movements, conduct disorder and dysautonomia. In both cases positive anti-NMDA receptor antibodies were obtained in cerebrospinal fluid and they were diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. In the first case, treatment was established with intravenous perfusion of corticoids and immunoglobulins, and rituximab also had to be associated. In the second case, treatment consisted in corticoids and immunoglobulins. Progress was favourable in both cases, with a slight language disorder as a sequela in the first case and a relapse in the second case, with full resolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a treatable disorder and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, since this improves the prognosis and diminishes the chances of relapses.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 San Vicente del Raspeig, Espana.
authors.forename: M Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: González-Toro
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jadraque-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Ángela
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Sempere-Pérez
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez-Pastor
authors.forename: Jenaro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jover-Cerdá
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gómez-Gosálvez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology; D054969:Primary Dysautonomias / Q000209:etiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000276:immunology*; D012008:Recurrence; D000069283:Rituximab; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001323:Autoantibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D000069283:Rituximab