To the Editor: A previously healthy, 2-y-old boy presented with new-onset behavioral change for the past two months. Parents noticed that he became quiet and distant, indifferent with unusual or minimal response to the questions posed. He soon preferred to stay in bed and with little impetus to eat, drink or speak. His sleep cycle was, however, not altered. His interaction with parents and peers had gradually reduced. For the fifteen days prior to admission, he developed peculiar, repetitive, nose picking behavior and minimal intermittent twisting movements of the limbs. On examination, he was self-absorbed, indifferent, socially withdrawn and lacked all emotional reactions. He was visually attentive and mute. Repetitive nose picking and intermittent dystonia were observed. Cranial nerves, fundus and rest of the neurological examination were normal. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain was unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was acellular with mildly elevated protein (62 mg%), normal sugar (68 mg%) and strongly reactive anti-NMDAR antibodies. He was initiated on a combination therapy with Intravenous Immunoglobulin and pulse methyl prednisolone. At 4 wk follow up, the motor stereotypies and dystonia resolved with marked reduction in apathy. However, the child was hyperactive, had an altered sleep-wake cycle, and persistent speech deficits. He was given Rituximab weekly (375 mg/m2) for four weeks. He showed complete resolution of all symptoms at 8 wk follow-up. At the two-year follow-up, the child was symptom free; was in first standard; had good scholastic skills; normal peer relationship; and no residual motor, speech or behavioral deficits.
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is a neuroimmune syndrome characterized by profound psychiatric and cognitive deficits [1]. Unlike adults, where psychotic symptoms are dominant, manic features inclusive of irritability; behavioral outburst and hyperactivity are commoner in children [2]. Light-switch mental status with rapid fluctuations in sensorium is another salient presenting feature [3]. The index child merits discussion because of the prominent apathetic features at onset. Apathy as a feature of Limbic encephalitis and Hashimoto thyroiditis has been well reported in adults. However, literature review of the three largest published series in children did not yield any mention [2, 4, 5]. The added findings of motor stereotypies; mild dystonia; and normal neuroimaging were pointers to the underlying diagnosis. Our case highlights the relatively rare apathetic presentation of pediatric Anti-NMDAR encephalitis.
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Kasinathan, A., Adam, R.K., Sankhyan, N. et al. Apathy - Forme Fruste of Autoimmune Encephalitis. Indian J Pediatr 85, 573 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2652-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-018-2652-x