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Rudolph's PediatricsRudolph's Pediatrics

Section 29. Disorders of the Nervous System > 

Part 3. Acute Deterioration of Neurologic Function > 

Chapter 556. Immune- and Inflammatory-Mediated Central Nervous System Syndromes

CNS Immune-Mediated Demyelinating Disorders

Mark P. Gorman
Topics Discussed: central nervous system dysfunction; cerebellar lesion; demyelinating autoimmune diseases, cns; demyelinating disease; demyelinating disease of central nervous system; encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated; immune-mediated neuropathies; multiple sclerosis; multiple sclerosis relapse; neurology; optic neuritis; pediatric neurology; transverse myelitis.
Sections: Immune-Mediated Cerebellar Syndromes, CNS Vasculitis, References.
Excerpt:"Demyelinating disorders comprise the largest subgroup within CNS immune-mediated disorders. Myelin is composed of a lipid bilayer of cholesterol, phospholipids, and glycolipids along with membrane-associated proteins, such as proteolipid protein and myelin basic protein.1,2 In the CNS, oligodendrocytes produce myelin, which surrounds axons with periodic interruptions at nodes of Ranvier. The main functions of myelin are to speed the conduction of action potentials along axons and to support the development and maintenance of axons. In the past, variable terminology and lack of consistent definitions in the literature hampered our understanding of pediatric CNS demyelinating disorders. In April 2007, diagnostic definitions were proposed by the International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Study Group.5 Although they have not yet been prospectively validated, these definitions provide a very useful framework both for clinical and research purposes. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is defined as an acute or subacute inflammatory demyelinating event affecting multifocal areas of the CNS with multiple accompanying symptoms, which must include encephalopathy.5 The incidence of ADEM is approximately 4 cases per 1 million persons under the age 20 per year.18 It is more common in children than adolescents and adults, with a mean age of onset between 5 and 8 years of age. Idiopathic, complete acute transverse..."
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