Childhood Myasthenia Gravis in Japan—Clinical Analysis of 184 Cases at Segawa Neurological Clinic for Children for 30 Years

Abstract

Japanese childhood onset MG, 226 cases, were evaluated. The highest (50%) onset under age 3 years, the highest frequency of latent general type (50%), and negative to low positive anti-AChR Ab were found. Some showed the increase of the titer around age 20 years. Amblyopia may develop with the cases onset younger than age 3 years. The 75% went into remission with steroid (58.1%) or anticholinesterase (16.2%). General type often needed thymectomy. The total duration and amount of prednisolone revealed the linear correlations with the clinical types and final outcomes. This study in the larger subjects confirmed the previous studies.

KEYWORDS:

• myasthenia gravis
• childhood onset
• latent general type
• anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody
• steroid treatment