Sleep Characteristics in Pediatric Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: a retrospective cohort study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Grace Yoonheekim Gombolay, Emory University; Morgan Morris, Emory University; Leah Loerinc, Emory University; Laura Blackwell, Emory University; Robyn Howarth, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-05-18
• Publisher: Sage Publications
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2023, Sage Publications
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1177%2F08830738231173603
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Child Neurology
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 298
• End Page: 306
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UL1TR002378 and KL2TR002381.
• Keywords: anti-NMDARE; anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis; NMDARE; pediatric; sleep
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Background: Rates of sleep problems in children with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) are unknown. Methods: We used a retrospective observational cohort database of children with a diagnosis of NMDARE at a single freestanding institution. One-year outcomes were assessed with the pediatric modified Rankin score (mRS), with 0-2 as good and 3 or greater as poor outcome. Results: Ninety-five percent (39/41) of children with NMDARE had sleep dysfunction at onset; thirty-four percent (11/32) reported sleep problems at one year. Sleep problems at onset and propofol use were not associated with poor outcomes at one year. Poor sleep at one year correlated with mRS scores (range 2-5) at one year. Discussion: High rates of sleep dysfunction occur in children with NMDARE. Persistent sleep problems at one year may correlate with outcomes as assessed by mRS at one year. Further studies comparing the relationship of poor sleep with outcomes in NMDARE are needed.