Peripheral facial nerve palsy in children: clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis.

Background: Sudden onset of unilateral weakness of the upper and lower muscles of one side of the face is defined as peripheral facial nerve palsy. Peripheral facial nerve palsy is often idiopathic and sometimes it could be due to infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, and immune causes. This study aimed to report the clinical manifestation, evaluation, and prognosis in children with peripheral facial nerve palsy. Methods: 57 children under 18 years of age diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve palsy at Çukurova University, Balcali Hospital, between January 2018 and September 2021, were included in the study. Results: The mean age of the children at the time of diagnosis was 9.6 ± 7, 4 years. Thirty-two (56.1%) of the patients were female and 25 (43.9%) were male. A total of 57 patients were diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve palsy and categorized into many groups by etiology: idiopathic Bell's palsy in 27 (47.5%), infectious in 11 (19.2%), traumatic in 6 (10.5%), and others (due to congenital, immune, neoplastic, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, drug toxicity, and iatrogenic causes) in 13 (22.8%). Forty-six of the children achieved full recovery under oral steroids within 1-7 months. Four patients with acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, Mobius syndrome and trauma did not recover and two patients (schwannoma, trauma) showed partial improvement. Five patients could not come to follow-up control. Conclusion: Peripheral facial nerve palsy is a rare condition in children with different causes. It could be idiopathic, congenital, or due to infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, and immune reasons. So, when a child presents with facial palsy, a complete clinical history and a detailed clinical examination are recommended. Giving attention to the red flag is very important. Peripheral facial nerve palsy in children is considered to have a good prognosis.

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy in two Turkish patients in Turkey and review of the literature.

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare autosomal recessive enzyme defect in the vitamin B6 metabolism characterized by intractable seizures which are usually resistant to all antiepileptic drugs but respond to pharmacological doses of pyridoxine. We present the clinical and molecular genetic findings of two patients with c.1597_1597delG mutations in ALDH7A1 gene. There are different clinical phenotypes in PDE: patients with complete seizure control with pyridoxine and normal development (group 1), patients with complete seizure control with pyridoxine and development delay (group 2), and patients with persistent seizures despite pyridoxine treatment and with development delay (group 3). Our two patients have persistant seizure despite pyridoxine treatment and with development delay. Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy can be identified in any neonate with signs of encephalopathy and refractory seizures, with no evidence of hypoxic-ischemic damage or other underlying metabolic disturbance. Neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients with PDE is multifactorial; early diagnosis and treatment of these patients is vital.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy: four cases and review of literature.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare clinically heterogenous condition consisting of encephalopathy, seizures and variable neurological and psychiatric manifestations, accompanied by high titres of serum antithyroid antibodies. We described the clinical and laboratory findings of four children (aged 8-17 years) with Hashimoto's encephalopathy. The clinical features of three patients at presentation included refractory epilepsy, and confusion, and one patient presented with behavioral and cognitive changes. During their presentation, two of them were in euthyroid, and the others were in hypothyroid status. All patients manifested increased antithyroid antibodies. Two patients improved with steroid treatment. The others responded to plasmapheresis instead of corticosteroid treatment. Physicians' awareness of this complication is of great importance because most patients respond dramatically to the treatment.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in a 6-year-old boy initially presenting with psychiatric symptoms.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) leads to demyelination of the nervous system, adrenal insufficiency and accumulation of long-chain fatty acids. Most young patients with X-linked ALD develop seizures and progressive neurologic deficits, and die within the first two decades of life. We present the case of a 6-year-old with childhood-onset ALD, first presenting with psychiatric symptoms and progressive gait difficulties, slurred speech and cognitive impairment. Genetic testing was performed and a p.R401Q (c.1202G>A) mutation detected in the ABCD1 gene. ALD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with behavior changes and white matter disease in neuroimaging.

Acute cerebellar ataxia associated with enteric fever in a child: a case report.

Enteric fever is a common infectious disease of the tropical world. Characteristic presenting features include fever, relative bradycardia, diarrhea or constipation, and abdominal pain. Central nervous system involvement is not rare and has a wide spectrum of presentation in enteric fever. Complications such as meningism, delirium, coma, and convulsions have been reported often. However, isolated acute cerebellar ataxia associated with enteric fever is rare. Here, we report a seven-year-old boy with enteric fever who presented with acute cerebellar ataxia. Following treatment with appropriate antibiotics, the patient showed complete recovery over the next four weeks.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to pulse methylprednisolone therapy in a child.

Posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a recently described disorder with typical radiological findings of bilateral grey and white matter abnormalities in the posterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres. It has been described in children in association with some medications, renal disease, autoimmune disease, transplantation, and sepsis. In this report, we discuss an eight-year-old boy with PRES during pulse methylprednisolone therapy. In conclusion, PRES is a neurological complication of pulse methylprednisolone therapy, which responds favorably to prompt therapy withdrawal and blood pressure control.

Oncologic manifestations in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 in Turkey.

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are predisposed to malignancies such as brain tumors, leukemia, and pheochromocytomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate malignancy in patients with NF1. We studied 120 patients with NF1 in this study. Demographic data from these patients were retrospectively reviewed. We found 20 malignancies in 19 patients in our study. Ten children with NF1 had optic glioma. Four children had solid central nervous system tumors (3 pilocytic astrocytomas, 1 glioblastoma multiforme). Three patients had myeloid malignancies (1 juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, 1 acute myeloid leukemia, 1 acute lymphocytic leukemia). Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, and malignant triton tumor were found in one patient each. Patients with NF1 are predisposed to both benign and malignant tumors of neurogenic and non-neurogenic origin. Therefore, systematic medical follow-up in patients with NF1 is important.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: an evaluation of 15 cases in childhood.

To describe our experience with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and the relationships between the clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and treatment, a retrospective record review was conducted of 15 children who were admitted with the diagnosis of ADEM during the period 2004-2010. Their ages ranged between 2 and 13 years. Patients presented most often with ataxia (53.3%) and secondly with weakness and headache (46.6%). Myelitis was determined in two patients. Five patients were treated with high-dose intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone, seven patients were treated with oral prednisolone, one patient was treated with plasmapheresis with IV immunoglobulin (Ig), and one patient was treated with IVIg. We observed recurrence in one patient. ADEM is a demyelinating disorder that is being diagnosed increasingly more as MRI studies are performed more frequently in patients with acute encephalopathy. Early diagnosis and therapy might improve the outcome.

Pseudoarthrosis of the hand in neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report.

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Here, we describe a 16-year-old boy with NF1 who had pseudoarthrosis of the 4th and 5th fingers of the left hand. He had specific cutaneous lesions and Lisch nodules in the iris. Because NF1 affects multiple organ systems, patients are likely to benefit most from a multidisciplinary treatment strategy.

Ring chromosome 14 syndrome presenting with intractable epilepsy: a case report.

Ring chromosome 14 syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. Typically, children with this syndrome have distinct facial features, development delay, microcephaly, seizures, ocular abnormalities, and recurrent respiratory infections. Epilepsy associated with ring chromosome 14 generally shows intractable seizures. We describe a six-month-old girl with ring chromosome 14 syndrome who presented with early-onset and drug-resistant seizures.

The efficacy and side effects of levetiracetam on refractory epilepsy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) add-on therapy in children with refractory epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 102 children (56 boys, 46 girls, mean age 96.00 ± 31.15 months) with refractory epilepsy. Patients received LEV as add-on therapy. Changes in seizure frequency and adverse events were observed. Follow-up was conducted at least 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: In total, 46 (45.1%) of the 102 children achieved more than 50% seizure frequency reduction, and 16 (15.6%) of these were seizure free. LEV reduced seizure frequency by at least 50% in 58.3% of patients with partial seizures, in 32.0% of patients with primary generalized seizures, and in 17.6% of patients with both partial and generalized seizures. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that LEV, as add-on therapy, was effective in reducing seizure frequency in a variety of seizure types but seems most effective for partial-onset seizures. LEV was also well-tolerated in children.

Hypohidrosis and hyperthermia during topiramate treatment in children.

Topiramate is one of the newer generation antiepileptic drugs with a beneficial clinical effect on various seizure types. In this study, we present the clinical findings of hypohidrosis and hyperthermia with topiramate in pediatric patients. The data were collected retrospectively on 173 patients diagnosed as epilepsy on topiramate treatment, and hypohidrosis-related symptoms induced by topiramate were found in 22 patients. Their mean age was 64.45 +/- 56.63 months. The mean duration of topiramate treatment was 7.09 +/- 2.46 months, and the mean dose was 5.37 +/- 1.75 mg/kg/day. All of the patients complained of hypohidrosis and hyperthermia. Six (27.2%) of them had facial flushing, 4 (18.1%) had heat sensation and only 1 (4.5%) had lethargy. Hypohidrosis-related symptoms resolved after discontinuation of the medication. In conclusion, children treated with topiramate should be cautioned regarding these potential adverse effects and advised to avoid its use during the hot summer season.

Joubert syndrome: report of 11 cases.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by hypotonia, ataxia, psychomotor delay, and variable occurrence of oculomotor apraxia and neonatal breathing abnormalities. The 11 cases were searched according to their clinic, radiologic, and mutation analysis findings, according to which they were diagnosed as JS. Physical, neurological and fundus examinations were performed in all patients. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scan, abdominal ultrasonography, and if necessary, echocardiography were performed. CC2D2A and ARL13B mutations were analyzed in our 11 JS patients. The mean age was 31.09 ± 37.49 months (range: 1 month - 10 years). Two of the cases were siblings. Nine of the cases had a history of episodic hyperpnea. The other findings were hypotonia, ataxia, psychomotor retardation, and nystagmus. In all patients, the "molar tooth sign" was observed with scanning methods. In addition, cerebellar cortical dysplasia was established in one of the cases. Macrocephaly (1 patient), multiple renal cysts (1 patient), ocular coloboma (2 patients), ptosis (1 patient), congenital heart disease (1 patient), polydactyly (2 patients), and congenital hip dislocation (2 patients) were also determined. We identified mutation (c.C4452T → p.R1518W) in CC2D2A in two patients. JS can show heterogeneity clinically, neuroradiologically and genetically. Determination of the symptoms, early diagnosis and genetic consultation are the goals for decision-making to begin treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Evaluation of sixteen children with pseudotumor cerebri.

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a clinical condition characterized by signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, such as headache and papilledema. A total of 16 patients diagnosed with PTC [12 (75%) female; 4 (25%) male] were included in the study. The age of onset of symptoms was 123.4 +/- 34.3 months (range: 60-168 months). Obesity was found in four (25%) of them. Two patients had venous sinus thrombosis, two had corticosteroid withdrawal, and one had posttraumatic PTC. The most common symptom was headache, recorded in 93.8% of the patients. All patients were treated medically. Two patients in our group also required a lumboperitoneal shunt. In conclusion, PTC in children is rare. Both papilledema and sixth nerve palsy resolved rapidly with treatment. However, children can sustain loss of visual field and visual acuity despite treatment.

Reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome due to intravenous immunoglobulin in a child with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is characterized clinically by headache, abnormalities of mental status, and visual perception and seizures. We report a rare case of acute encephalopathy following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome in whom posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome developed without severe hypertension.

Neurologic findings of nutritional vitamin B12 deficiency in children.

We report herein our interesting case series of 15 infants admitting with neurological symptoms who were found to have vitamin B12 deficiency. Infants who were admitted to our hospital between 2004 and 2007 with neurological symptoms and were found to have vitamin B12 deficiency were included in this study. Data regarding clinical and laboratory features were obtained. Of 15 infants, 9 were boys (60%) and 6 were girls (40%). The mean age was 11.7 months. Anorexia, pallor, hypotonia, and neurodevelopmental retardation were present in all infants. Seizures and tremor were observed in 46.6% (7/15) and 33% (5/15) of patients, respectively. Seizures were generalized tonic-clonic in 4 patients, generalized tonic in 1 patient and focal in 2 patients. Four patients had tremor on admission and 1 patient had occurrence after vitamin B12 treatment. Vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to serious neurological deficits in addition to megaloblastic anemia. Persistent neurological damage can be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment. We believe that a thorough clinical and neurological assessment might prevent failure to notice rare but possible vitamin B12 deficiency in infants with neurological deficits and neurodevelopmental retardation.

Pseudotumor cerebri in a child with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome.

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is recognized as a multisystem disorder with various connective tissue, skeletal and immunologic abnormalities. Central nervous system abnormalities have been considered a feature of HIES. Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure in the absence of any intracranial mass lesion or ventricular dilatation, with normal neurology and cerebral spinal fluid composition. PTC without papilledema is rarely reported in children. We describe an atypical presentation of PTC in a child with HIES.

Evaluation of nine children with reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological disorder characterized by signs of posterior cerebral edema upon radiographic examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of nine children with the diagnosis of PRES. RESULTS: Of the nine patients, seven were receiving immunosuppressive therapy and two were acute hypertensive crisis associated with renal disease. Immunosupressive drugs were intrathecal methotrexate in two patients, cyclosporine in two patients, intrathecal cytarabine in one patient, cyclophasphamide in one patient, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in another one patient. The most presenting symptoms were seizure, headache, and altered consciousness. Six patients had seizures. Altered consciousness was present in four patients. Headache and nausea or vomiting was present also in six patients. Visual abnormalities were noted in two patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies showed white-matter abnormalities suggestive of edema in the posterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres, but the changes often involved other cerebral areas, the brain stem, basal ganglia or the cerebellum. The patients were treated with antihypertensive medications, and immunosuppressive therapy was withdrawn. In all the patients, the clinical and radiological findings resolved more completely. CONCLUSION: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy may develop in patients who have renal insufficiency or hypertension or who are immunosuppressed. This syndrome should be recognized immediately and trigger agents can be discontinued to prevent long-term sequelae.