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Myasthenia Gravis

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Symptom-Based Approach to Pediatric Neurology

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Abstract

This chapter focuses on the clinical aspects of juvenile myasthenia gravis as may be encountered by a general pediatrician. Presenting symptoms and initial management strategies are discussed, with a particular focus on early detection of an impending myasthenic crisis. The key differentiating examination findings are reviewed, which can help narrow the broad differential of a lower motor neuron pattern of weakness to myasthenia gravis and guide appropriate testing. The aim of this chapter is to empower pediatricians to be able to recognize the symptoms of myasthenia gravis, elicit and interpret distinguishing findings of the disease on a neurological examination, monitor for signs of an evolving myasthenic crisis, and take prompt appropriate action when signs of a crisis are present.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Kelsey Christoffel & Duygu Selcen

Authors
  1. Kelsey Christoffel
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  2. Duygu Selcen
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Correspondence to Duygu Selcen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Deepak M. Kamat

  2. Pediatrics and Neurology, Central Michigan University Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA

    Lalitha Sivaswamy

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Christoffel, K., Selcen, D. (2022). Myasthenia Gravis. In: Kamat, D.M., Sivaswamy, L. (eds) Symptom-Based Approach to Pediatric Neurology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10494-7_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10494-7_34

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-10493-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-10494-7

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