Abstract:

The field of autoimmune epilepsy has progressed tremendously in recent decades with the discovery of a wide range of neuronal antibodies and the increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of various immune-mediated syndromes. A significant proportion of patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology have been shown to be caused by autoimmunity. Pediatric autoimmune epilepsy is often secondary to autoimmune encephalitis. Its clinical manifestations are diverse, with seizures being the primary symptom. It is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, speech disorders, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical features, MRI findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and testing for neurospecific antibodies is an important part of the diagnosis. Treatment includes immunotherapy, removal of immune triggers and symptomatic treatment with antiepileptic drugs. Early initiation of immunotherapy can be effective in controlling seizure frequency and improving cognition.

Key words: autoimmune epilepsy, neuronal antibody, diagnosis, immunotherapy, child