The human brain is incredibly delicate, and even the slightest change can lead to a variety of severe issues. It is quite uncommon for three children from different regions to experience the same neurological disorder simultaneously. However, this rare occurrence was recently addressed at KIMS Cuddles, Kurnool by Consultant Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Swetha Rampally, who successfully treated these young patients.
Dr Swetha Rampally provided details about the cases. “Recently, three children came to us consecutively, all exhibiting similar symptoms. One of them, a two-year-old girl from Adoni, experienced fever and vomiting for four days, after which her left hand and left leg became paralysed . Upon arrival, her blood pressure was alarmingly high. Another case involved a five-year-old boy from Tadipatri, who lost the ability to move both legs and faced difficulty in urination following two days of fever. The third patient was a ten-year-old boy from Kurnool who reported weakness in both legs, urinary issues, and a history of parotid swelling two weeks earlier.
All three were admitted to the Pediatric ICU under the supervision of Pediatric Intensivist Dr. Naveen Reddy, and we began treatment based on their symptoms. Blood tests, MRIs of the brain and spinal cord, fluid samples from the brain, antibody tests, and nerve function tests were conducted. The results indicated that all three children were suffering from a specific demyelination disorder called Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
Upon conducting an eye examination, we discovered that the five-year-old boy had also lost some vision. We immediately administered high-dose immunosuppressive medications and initiated physiotherapy along with visual stimulation. Additional treatments were provided to control blood pressure, relieve pain, and protect the bladder. Three of the children gradually showed improvement, and after some time, they were discharged with instructions to continue immunosuppressive medications. However, due to the potential side effects of the treatment, we kept them under close follow-up for all three patients.
Three months later, the boy from Tadipatri was detected to have a relapse in the spinal cord which was detected in MRI scan screening. We escalated his immunotherapy, and he is under close follow up .”
Dr. Swetha Rampally further explained, “NMOSD, or demyelination disorder, is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms include fatigue, tingling in the legs, blurred vision, vomiting, hiccups, and fluctuations in blood pressure, which can last for weeks or even months. With timely suspicion and treatment, these symptoms can often be alleviated. However, this condition can affect individuals from childhood to the age of 55, and without proper treatment, it can be fatal. Hence specialist care is needed. Even after recovery, there is a risk of relapse, so close monitoring is essential for a long period.”