"Mummy, my eyelids are heavy": A case series of juvenile myasthenia gravis

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2021 Mar;31(2):NP119-NP122. doi: 10.1177/1120672119867605. Epub 2019 Aug 7.

Abstract

Purpose: To report three cases of juvenile myasthenia gravis aged between 18 and 24 months with ocular symptoms as their first presentation.

Method: A case series.

Results: We present a case series of juvenile myasthenia gravis in a tertiary centre in Malaysia. Two of the three cases consist of a pair of twins who presented with ptosis of bilateral eyes; the first twin presented 4 months later than the second twin. These two cases were positive for anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies and had generalized myasthenia gravis, whereas the other case was negative for receptor antibodies and was purely ocular myasthenia gravis.

Conclusion: Juvenile myasthenia gravis is relatively rare in toddlers. Early diagnosis and commencement of treatment is important to slow the progression of the disease and avoiding life-threatening events.

Keywords: Juvenile; anticholinesterase; myasthenia gravis; ophthalmoplegia; ptosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Blepharoptosis / diagnosis*
  • Blepharoptosis / drug therapy
  • Blepharoptosis / genetics
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis*
  • Diseases in Twins / drug therapy
  • Diseases in Twins / genetics
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / genetics
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology
  • Twins, Monozygotic*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • Prednisolone
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide