Objectives:

To describe the presentation and pathognomonic features, clinical course, response to treatment and neuro[psychiatric outcome of Anti-NMDAR encephalitis in children.

Methods:

Six children diagnosed to have Anti-NMDAR encephalitis over a period of 3 years were followed up. Their neuro-psychiatric outcome was determined.

Results:

Five of the 6 children who were studied were girls, the age ranged from 2 to 11 years. The commonest presentation was seizures, followed by neuropsychiatric symptoms. Movement abnormalities were seen in all children, particularly orofacial dyskinesia and choreoathetosis. Life-threatening autonomic disturbances did not occur. All were treated with immunosuppression and showed varying degrees of improvement. None relapsed during the period of follow-up. The last symptom to regress was expressive aphasia.

Conclusions:

Orofacial dyskinesia appear to be a strong pointer to this disease.

Expressive aphasia is the last neuropsychiatric manifestation to recover.

A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose this entity as early treatment is crucial for recovery.