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CC BY 4.0 · Neuropediatrics
DOI: 10.1055/a-2625-0994
Short Communication

Nausea, Vertical Gaze Palsy, and Excessive Sleep: An Unusual Presentation of Pediatric AQP4-Antibody Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Tatjana A. Oberholzer
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
,
Leonie Plastina
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
,
David Wille
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
,
Selma Sirin
2   Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
,
Annette Hackenberg
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
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Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare neuroinflammatory disease with an annual incidence of less than 1 case in 1,000,000 in the White population and a median age of onset at 40 years. NMOSD usually presents with optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Various brainstem, cerebellar, diencephalic, and hemispheric symptoms may also occur. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for symptom management and prevention of relapses and disability. We report the case of a prepubertal girl, highlighting unique clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features and the risk of early parenchymal damage.

Keywords

vertical gaze palsy - narcolepsy - NMOSD - pediatric onset - AQP4-antibody


Publication History

Received: 15 December 2024

Accepted: 30 April 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
02 June 2025

Article published online:
11 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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