We are reporting on a case of pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis with autonomic instability. The patient showed little response to first-line treatment of steroid and IVIG. We initiated plasma exchange, also a first-line treatment. This worsened his autonomic instability, resulting in hypotensive shock. He responded well to rituximab and cyclophosphamide, second-line therapies. Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is often accompanied by autonomic instability. Our and other reported cases, raise the question of plasma exchange as a first-line therapy for pediatric NMDAR encephalitis, which is frequently accompanied by autonomic instability. Plasma exchange should be performed cautiously in such patients.
Keywords: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis; Autonomic instability; Cyclophosphamide; Plasmapheresis; Rituximab.
Copyright © 2015 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.