Recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome in children

Abstract

Background: Miller Fisher syndrome is usually a monophasic disorder. Recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome is extremely rare, and all patients with recurrences have been adults. Although the optimal treatment for Miller Fisher syndrome has yet to be established, the typical therapy includes intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange. The efficacy of steroids is still debated.

Patients: We describe two children with recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome. Episodes occurred at the age of 11.5 and 13 years in patient 1 and at the age of 8 and 13 years in patient 2.

Results: Clinical patterns of the first and recurrent episodes of Miller Fisher syndrome were overlapping. In both patients, steroids were effective in controlling clinical deterioration of Miller Fisher syndrome recurrences.

Conclusions: Recurrent Miller Fisher syndrome is a rare disorder that may occur in children. Our observations and a review of the literature suggest that there may be a small group of patients in whom steroids may be a therapeutic option when intravenous immunoglobulin fails to control clinical symptoms.

Keywords: Guillaine-Barrè syndrome; demyelination; neuroimmunology; pediatrics; steroids.