All issues > Volume 31(11); 1988

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1988;31(11):1475-1481. Published online November 30, 1988.

A Clinical Study on Myasthenia Gravis in Children.

S L Lee¹, I J Cho¹, H S Kim¹, C M Kang¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Keimyung University, School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea

Received: June 8, 1988;  Accepted: July 25, 1988.

Abstract

Eleven cases of mysthenia gravis under the age of 15 years who were admitted to department of pediatrics of Dong San Medical Center during the past 13 years from Jan. 1974 to Dec. 1986 were analysed clinically. The results were summarized as follows; Nine cases (81.1%) were over the age of 5 years and the youngest was 2 years old. Male to female ratio was 1:2.7. Six cases (54.5%) were seen in springtime. Most prevalent symptom on admission was ptosis which was found in 10 cases (90.9%), followed by generalized weakness and impairment of lateral gaze. It was found that the older the patient is, the more the disease is serious. The hematologic findings of peripheral blood on admission were normal in all cases. Tensilon test was positive in all cases while EMG findings were abnormal in 2 cases among 4 in which EMG was done. Associated conditions were mostly respiratory tract infection such as URI (54.5%), pneumonia and pharyngotonsillitis. Patients were responded to Mestinon more effectively than the others such as neostigmine or steroid. Eight cases were improved completely or partially and 3 cases showed no improvement.

Keywords :Myasthenia Gravis