Title |
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis presenting as atypical anorexia nervosa: an adolescent case report
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Published in |
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, February 2015
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DOI | 10.1007/s00787-015-0682-8 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
David Mechelhoff, Betteke Maria van Noort, Bernhard Weschke, Christian J. Bachmann, Christiane Wagner, Ernst Pfeiffer, Sibylle Winter |
Abstract |
Since 2007, more than 600 patients have been diagnosed with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis, with almost 40 % of those affected being children or adolescents. In early phases of the illness, this life-threatening disease is characterized by psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, obsessions, hallucinations or delusions. Consequently, a high percentage of patients receive psychiatric diagnoses at first, hindering the crucial early diagnosis and treatment of the anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. We report on a 15-year-old girl initially presenting with pathological eating behaviour and significant weight loss resulting in an (atypical) anorexia nervosa (AN) diagnosis. Her early course of illness, diagnostic process, treatment and short-term outcome are described. This case report aims to raise awareness about the association between anorectic behaviour and anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary teams in child and adolescent services. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 2 | 67% |
United States | 1 | 33% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 2 | 67% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 33% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 1 | 1% |
Mexico | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 76 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Ph. D. Student | 13 | 17% |
Student > Master | 11 | 14% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 8 | 10% |
Student > Bachelor | 8 | 10% |
Other | 6 | 8% |
Other | 10 | 13% |
Unknown | 22 | 28% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Medicine and Dentistry | 19 | 24% |
Psychology | 15 | 19% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 7 | 9% |
Neuroscience | 3 | 4% |
Sports and Recreations | 3 | 4% |
Other | 7 | 9% |
Unknown | 24 | 31% |