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How common is childhood myasthenia? The UK incidence and prevalence of autoimmune and congenital myasthenia

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Jeremy Parr

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Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the frequency of childhood myasthenia in the UK. Specifically, we aimed to identify the detected incidence of autoimmune myasthenia and the detected prevalence of genetically confirmed congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) in children. Methods: All children under 18 years of age on 31 December 2009 with a confirmed CMS genetic mutation were identified by the only UK laboratory undertaking CMS genetic testing. All cases with positive acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and muscle speci fic kinase (MuSK) receptor antibodies in the 5 years between 2003 and 2007 inclusive were identified by the testing laboratories. UK census data from 2001 were used as the denominator for analyses. Results: The UK detected prevalence of genetically confirmed CMS was 9.2 per million children under 18 years of age. CMS was equally prevalent in girls and boys. CHRNE, RAPSN and DOK7 were the most commonly identified mutations. Prevalence varied across geographical regions in England (between 2.8 and 14.8 per million children). The mean incidence of antibody-positive autoimmune myasthenia was 1.5 per million children per year over the period of the study. Girls were affected more frequently than boys; this difference persisted across the age range. Antibodies were identi fied during the neonatal period in 17 children. Conclusions: This laboratory based study shows that childhood myasthenia is very rare. This condition is treatable, and these definitive detected incidence and prevalence data can be used to help plan diagnostic and supporting services for affected children and their families, and maximise research opportunities.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Parr JR, Andrew MJ, Finnis M, Beeson D, Vincent A, Jayawant S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood

Year: 2014

Volume: 99

Issue: 6

Pages: 539-542

Print publication date: 01/06/2014

Online publication date: 15/05/2014

Acceptance date: 09/01/2014

ISSN (print): 0003-9888

ISSN (electronic): 1468-2044

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2013-304788

DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2013-304788

PubMed id: 24500997

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