Nursing care of a pediatric patient with anti-NMDAR encephalitis complicated by secondary epilepsy: A case report.
Qionglei Huang, Luyao Wang
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 13-year-old girl presented with a 2-month history of dizziness, poor appetite, abnormal behavior, mood disturbances, visual hallucinations, and seizures. She was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR autoimmune encephalitis complicated by secondary epilepsy. Following first-line immunotherapy and comprehensive nursing care, she regained consciousness, improved cognition, and achieved independent ambulation. At a 3-month follow-up, she reported no relapse and returned to school.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider anti-NMDAR encephalitis in pediatric patients presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms and seizures, especially when initial infectious causes are ruled out.
Why it matters
This case underscores the critical role of multidisciplinary care and structured nursing interventions in managing complex pediatric autoimmune encephalitis and its complications.