Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and neurological disease

Arch Dis Child. 1993 Nov;69(5):573-6. doi: 10.1136/adc.69.5.573.

Abstract

The cases are reported of 13 children seen over a 22 month period who presented with a variety of acute neurological illnesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Although presentation with a decreased level of consciousness or seizures was common, psychosis, hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsies, and Guillain-Barré syndrome were also seen. In contrast with published reports, only one child had an associated chest infection. Although some children have been left with residual disability, most have made a complete recovery. In this recent experience, M pneumoniae is a not rare cause of neurological illness in childhood and may present in unusual ways.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Encephalitis / microbiology
  • Erythromycin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / microbiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / microbiology*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / psychology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / microbiology
  • Seizures / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Erythromycin