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J Pediatr Intensive Care 2013; 02(03): 143-145
DOI: 10.3233/PIC-13064
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Use of dexmedetomidine as adjunctive therapy for anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis

Christopher J. Babbitt
a   Pediatric Critical Care, Miller's Children Hospital, Long California, CA, USA
,
Jean Lake
a   Pediatric Critical Care, Miller's Children Hospital, Long California, CA, USA
,
Glenn K. Levine
a   Pediatric Critical Care, Miller's Children Hospital, Long California, CA, USA
› Author Affiliations
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Further Information

Publication History

02 May 2013

08 June 2013

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a recently discovered disease that is more commonly being diagnosed in children. Patients often require intensive care and assisted ventilation due to agitation, abnormal movements, hypoventilation, seizures and autonomic instability. There is no consensus on which medicines are best suited to acutely treat this constellation of central nervous system symptoms. We present the first case report of using dexmedetomidine to treat this condition.

Keywords

Dexmedetomidine - encephalitis - seizures - anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor