CHILDHOOD MG |
Childhood Myasthenia Gravis
What are the types of Myasthenia Gravis? There are three types of MG in children, including
the following:
Congenital MG - this is a very rare non-immune form of MG that is inherited as an autosomal
recessive disease. This means that both males and females are equally affected and that two
copies of the gene, one inherited from each parent, are necessary to have the condition.
Symptoms of congenital MG usually begin in the baby's first year and are life-long.
Transient neonatal MG - between 10 and 25 percent of babies born to mothers with MG may
have a temporary form of MG. This occurs when antibodies common in MG cross the placenta
to the developing fetus. Neonatal MG usually lasts only a few weeks and babies are not at
greater risk for developing MG later in life.
Juvenile MG - this auto-immune disorder develops typically in female adolescents especially
Caucasian females. It is a life-long condition that may go in and out of remission. About 20
percent of MG cases are juvenile-onset.
The diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis is made after the sudden or gradual onset of specific
symptoms and after diagnostic testing. During the physical examination, the physician obtains a
complete medical history of the child, and may also ask if there is a family history of any
medical problems.
Diagnosis of MG is usually confirmed with a Tensilon test. With this test, a small amount of
medicine (Tensilon) is administered through an I.V. into the child. If the child has MG, an
immediate, but brief, increase in muscle tone is noted.
Other diagnostic tests that may be performed to help confirm the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis
include:
blood tests
genetic tests - diagnostic tests that evaluate for conditions that have a tendency to run in families.
electromyogram (EMG) - a test that measures the electrical activity of a muscle or a group of
muscles. An EMG can detect abnormal electrical muscle activity due to diseases and
neromuscular conditions.
muscle biopsy - a small sample of the muscle is removed and examined to determine and
confirm a diagnosis or condition.
Treatment of Myasthnia Gravis:
Specific treatment for myasthenia gravis will be determined by your child's physician based on:
your child's age, overall health, and medical history
the extent of the condition
your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the condition
your opinion or preference
There is no cure for MG, but the symptoms can sometimes be controlled. Myasthenia Gravis is
a life-long medical condition and the key to medically managing MG is early detection.
The goal of treatment is to prevent respiratory problems and provide adequate nutritional care to
the child since the swallowing and breathing muscles are affected by this condition.
Treatment may include:
medications
thymectomy - surgical removal of the thymus gland. The role of the thymus gland in MG is not
fully understood, and the thymectomy may or may not improve the child's symptoms.
plasmapherisis - a procedure that removes abnormal antibodies from the blood and replaces the
child's blood with normal antibodies through donated blood.
The extent of the problem is dependent on the severity of the condition and the presence of
other problems that could affect the child. In severe cases, a breathing machine may be required
to help the child breathe easier.
The healthcare team educates the family after hospitalization on how to best care for their child
at home and outlines specific clinical problems that require immediate medical attention by their
physician. A child with MG requires frequent medical evaluations throughout his/her life.
It is important to allow the child as much independent function and self-care, especially with
juvenile MG, as possible and to promote age-appropriate activities to ensure a sense of normalcy.
What are the types of Myasthenia Gravis? There are three types of MG in children, including
the following:
Congenital MG - this is a very rare non-immune form of MG that is inherited as an autosomal
recessive disease. This means that both males and females are equally affected and that two
copies of the gene, one inherited from each parent, are necessary to have the condition.
Symptoms of congenital MG usually begin in the baby's first year and are life-long.
Transient neonatal MG - between 10 and 25 percent of babies born to mothers with MG may
have a temporary form of MG. This occurs when antibodies common in MG cross the placenta
to the developing fetus. Neonatal MG usually lasts only a few weeks and babies are not at
greater risk for developing MG later in life.
Juvenile MG - this auto-immune disorder develops typically in female adolescents especially
Caucasian females. It is a life-long condition that may go in and out of remission. About 20
percent of MG cases are juvenile-onset.
The diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis is made after the sudden or gradual onset of specific
symptoms and after diagnostic testing. During the physical examination, the physician obtains a
complete medical history of the child, and may also ask if there is a family history of any
medical problems.
Diagnosis of MG is usually confirmed with a Tensilon test. With this test, a small amount of
medicine (Tensilon) is administered through an I.V. into the child. If the child has MG, an
immediate, but brief, increase in muscle tone is noted.
Other diagnostic tests that may be performed to help confirm the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis
include:
blood tests
genetic tests - diagnostic tests that evaluate for conditions that have a tendency to run in families.
electromyogram (EMG) - a test that measures the electrical activity of a muscle or a group of
muscles. An EMG can detect abnormal electrical muscle activity due to diseases and
neromuscular conditions.
muscle biopsy - a small sample of the muscle is removed and examined to determine and
confirm a diagnosis or condition.
Treatment of Myasthnia Gravis:
Specific treatment for myasthenia gravis will be determined by your child's physician based on:
your child's age, overall health, and medical history
the extent of the condition
your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the condition
your opinion or preference
There is no cure for MG, but the symptoms can sometimes be controlled. Myasthenia Gravis is
a life-long medical condition and the key to medically managing MG is early detection.
The goal of treatment is to prevent respiratory problems and provide adequate nutritional care to
the child since the swallowing and breathing muscles are affected by this condition.
Treatment may include:
medications
thymectomy - surgical removal of the thymus gland. The role of the thymus gland in MG is not
fully understood, and the thymectomy may or may not improve the child's symptoms.
plasmapherisis - a procedure that removes abnormal antibodies from the blood and replaces the
child's blood with normal antibodies through donated blood.
The extent of the problem is dependent on the severity of the condition and the presence of
other problems that could affect the child. In severe cases, a breathing machine may be required
to help the child breathe easier.
The healthcare team educates the family after hospitalization on how to best care for their child
at home and outlines specific clinical problems that require immediate medical attention by their
physician. A child with MG requires frequent medical evaluations throughout his/her life.
It is important to allow the child as much independent function and self-care, especially with
juvenile MG, as possible and to promote age-appropriate activities to ensure a sense of normalcy.
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