Neuropediatrics 2007; 38(4): 197-199
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-991145
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Seizures, Psychosis and Coma: Severe Course of Hashimoto Encephalopathy in a Six-Year-Old Girl

F. Hoffmann 1 [*] , K. Reiter 1 , G. Kluger 2 , H. Holthausen 2 , H. P. Schwarz 1 , I. Borggraefe 1 , W. Bonfig 1 [*]
  • 1University Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Neuropediatrics, BHZ Vogtareuth, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 27.11.2006

accepted 05.09.2007

Publication Date:
04 December 2007 (online)

Abstract

Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is a rare steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with elevated antithyroid antibodies and is a well recognised complication of autoimmune thyroid disease. The clinical picture is pleomorphic, presenting with variable symptoms like coma, seizures, neuropsychiatric changes (impairment of cognitive functions, behavioural and mood disturbances, hallucinations) or focal neurological deficits. HE is mainly diagnosed in adults, but also a rare differential diagnosis of encephalopathy or epilepsy in children. The diagnosis is often overlooked at presentation but is crucial as it is a treatable disease. We report on the youngest patient described up to now presenting with progressive epilepsy resistant to anticonvulsive treatment and unclear encephalopathy related to Hashimoto thyroiditis.

References

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1 These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence

W. BonfigMD 

University Children's Hospital

Ludwig Maximilians University

Lindwurmstrasse 4

80337 Munich

Germany

Phone: +49/89/5160 28 11

Fax: +49/89/5160 47 84

Email: walter.bonfig@med.uni-muenchen.de