Childhood optic neuritis: The pediatric neurologist's perspective

Abstract Background Optic neuritis in children may be an isolated, usually postinfectious event, or the symptom of a more widespread disorder. Aim To investigate the etiological spectrum of optic neuritis in children in association with diagnostic findings and follow-up results. Methods We retrospec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of paediatric neurology 2009-09, Vol.13 (5), p.452-457
Main Authors: Çakmaklı, Gül, Kurne, Aslı, Güven, Alev, Serdaroğlu, Ayşe, Topaloğlu, Haluk, Teber, Serap, Anlar, Banu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Age Factors
Autoimmune
Chickenpox - complications
Child
Child, Preschool
Children
Etiology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Functional Laterality - physiology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Methylprednisolone - therapeutic use
Multiple sclerosis
Mumps - complications
Neurology
Neuromyelitis Optica - etiology
Optic neuritis
Optic Neuritis - epidemiology
Optic Neuritis - etiology
Optic Neuritis - therapy
Pediatrics
Recovery of Function
Recurrence
Rubella - complications
Sex Factors
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Summary:Abstract Background Optic neuritis in children may be an isolated, usually postinfectious event, or the symptom of a more widespread disorder. Aim To investigate the etiological spectrum of optic neuritis in children in association with diagnostic findings and follow-up results. Methods We retrospectively examined the records of 31 children aged 4–15 (mean 9.7 ± 2.9) years in whom isolated optic neuritis was the presenting neurological symptom. Results Monophasic bilateral optic neuritis was the most common presentation (45%), followed by the unilateral (32%) and recurrent (22%) forms. Initial cranial MRI was abnormal in 12/31 patients. During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years (6 months–15 years), 6/14 bilateral cases, 9/10 unilateral and 5/7 recurrent cases were diagnosed with various disorders including total eight with MS. The MS group tended to start with unilateral optic neuritis, was older (mean 11.6 ± 1.5 vs. 8.8 ± 2.9 years), and included more girls than the other groups. Conclusions Optic neuritis in children is frequently part of a systemic or neurological disorder even in the presence of normal cranial imaging. These patients should be evaluated and followed-up in pediatric neurology clinics.
ISSN:1090-3798
1532-2130
DOI:10.1016/j.ejpn.2008.09.003