Neurological disorders by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Children: The experience of Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia

Abstract

Introduction: Neurological complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae have been described for more than 50 years. This microorganism can cause between 5 and 10% of the infections of Central Nervous System. In Peru, this disease is subdiagnosed due to lack of clinical suspicion. Objectives: To describe the clinic and laboratorial characteristics of patients with M. pneumoniae CNS commitment, diagnosed in the Cayetano Heredia National Hospital. Material and methods: The Database of the Unit of Neuropediatrics and the Register of Discharges from the HNCH were reviewed. We include all the patients with neurological commitment by M. pneumoniae. The clinical and epidemiologic data were compiled. Results: There were 8 patients identified. Three children underwent myelitis, four had encephalitis and one girl presented encephalitis and myelitis. The diagnosis was stablished by positive IgM serology. The patients with encephalitis had high percentage of neurological sequelaes. In the myelitis group, except a girl with cervical location, all evolved favorably. Children with encephalitis were much more symptomatic, arriving at the state of coma with ventilatory support requirement and difficult-to-control seizures. Conclusions: Central nervous system infections due to M. pneumoniae do exist in our own environment but are infrequently diagnosed. They should be suspected upon in any patient with acute or subacute infection of the central nervous system to afford early diagnosis and treatment.