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1: Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2009 Mar;13(2):194-6. Epub 2008 Jun 30.Click here to read Links

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in childhood.

Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. akostera@amwaw.edu.pl

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction. LEMS can be associated with a variety of neoplasms. Patients present with proximal muscle weakness and fatigability, often combined with areflexia. Only 5% of reported cases are children. We report a case of 11-year old boy with non-neoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Repetitive nerve stimulation test showed 83% increment after maximal voluntary contraction, presence of antibodies against voltage-gated calcium channels confirmed the diagnosis. The boy responded well to immunosuppressive treatment with prednisone and azathioprine and remains cancer-free for 4 years.

PMID: 18585938 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol® , Sterapred® , Sterapred® DS)

    Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning). Prednis...

  • Mercaptopurine (Purinethol® )

    Your doctor has ordered the drug mercaptopurine to help treat your illness. The drug is taken by mouth in tablet form.

  • Azathioprine (Azasan® , Imuran® )

    Azathioprine is used with other medications to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. It is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain and swellin...