Rituximab Treatment in Myasthaenia Gravis: Report of two paediatric cases.

Abstract

Myasthaenia gravis (MG) is an auto-immune disease involving the postsynaptic receptors in the neuromuscular junction. The condition is characterised by fatigable weakness of the skeletal muscles and is uncommon in children. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and immune-modifying medications are usually considered the mainstay of treatment. However, these medications have to be given on a lifelong basis so that patients remain in remission; furthermore, drug-related side-effects can have a major impact on quality of life. We report two paediatric cases who were treated for MG at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Rituximab was eventually administered to each patient after their condition failed to improve despite several years of standard treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and immune-modifying medications. Overall, rituximab resulted in complete remission in one case and significant clinical improvement in the other case.

• Authors: Roshan Koul, Amna Al-Futaisi, Rana Abdelrahim, Renjith Mani, Reem Abdwani, Abdullah Al-Asmi
• Journal: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal (Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. e223-e227 (May 2018) ISSN: 2075-0528 [Electronic] Oman
• PMID: 30210856 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunologic Factors
• Rituximab

Topics

• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Immunologic Factors (therapeutic use)
• Myasthenia Gravis (drug therapy)
• Oman
• Quality of Life
• Rituximab (therapeutic use)