SEIZURE CONTROL OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN WITH ANTI-NMDA RECEPTOR AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALITIS
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Abstract
Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study included 35 pediatric patients with anti-NMDA receptor autoimmune encephalitis presenting with symptomatic seizures who were treated at the Vietnam National Children’s Hospital from January 2020 to May 2025. The study aimed to evaluate seizure control outcomes and associated factors. Seizure control was assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months.
Results: Complete seizure control was achieved in 82.9% of patients at 1 month, 88.6% at 3 months, and 97.1% at 6 months. Baseline electroencephalography showed abnormal background activity in 54.8% of patients and epileptiform discharges in 16.1%. After 6 months, the rate of abnormal background activity decreased to 5.6%. No significant associations were found between seizure onset type, seizure frequency, electroencephalographic abnormalities, brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, or the number of antiseizure medications and seizure control at 6 months (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that most pediatric patients with anti-NMDA receptor autoimmune encephalitis can achieve good control of symptomatic seizures within the first month when timely immunotherapy is combined with antiseizure medication, with continued improvement thereafter.
Keywords
Autoimmune encephalitis, anti-NMDA receptor, symptomatic seizures, children
Article Details
References
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