Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) |症状和原因
急性散布脑脊髓炎的症状是什么？
The symptoms of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) come on quickly. Your child may feel tired or irritable at first. It is also common to have a viral illness with fever a few days to a few weeks before the beginning of the symptoms. Other symptoms may include:
炎症（肿胀）在大脑和脊髓中的位置确定发生了什么症状。
是什么原因导致ADEM？
In ADEM, the immune system reacts against the brain and spinal cord. Autoimmunity is not contagious, but may be genetic (inherited from parents). ADEM may also follow a vaccination, although this is rare. In some cases of ADEM, a specific trigger/cause cannot be identified.
Is ADEM similar to多发性硬化症（MS）？
ADEM和MS都涉及对大脑和脊髓中髓磷脂的自身免疫反应。他们俩都“脱髓鞘”疾病。两种疾病常见的症状包括视力丧失，无力，麻木和平衡丧失。Corticosteroids are used to treat attacks of ADEM and MS.
在大多数情况下，ADEM仅发生一次，而患有MS的患者在大脑和脊髓中反复发作。Although children can develop MS, it is much more common in adults, whereas ADEM is more common in children.Typical symptoms of ADEM such asfever，，，，headache和混乱，通常不会在MS的人中看到。MRIs在区分ADEM和MS时很有帮助。大多数患有MS的儿童都接受了持续的药物治疗，以防止攻击。ADEM患者不需要这种药物。
Although it is uncommon, children who have ADEM can later develop MS. Therefore, it is important to have ongoing follow up with your our team. Let your doctor know immediately if you notice new symptoms in your child, such as:
- visual loss
- weakness
- 麻木
- loss of balance
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) |Diagnosis & Treatments
如何诊断出急性传播性脑脊髓炎？
There is not one specific test that is used to diagnose acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). There are several exams and tests that the doctor must look at including:
- your child's medical history
- a neurological examination
- brainMRIscans
- 腰椎穿刺（脊柱水龙头），以确保脊髓液中没有感染，例如脑膜炎or脑炎
- 一个EEG如果怀疑癫痫发作
- 血液测试以寻找感染性触发因素和其他可能与ADEM混淆的情况
急性传播脑脊髓炎的治疗选择是什么？
Medications are used to reduce the inflammation (swelling) in your child's brain and spinal cord. The main medication that is used for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is called methylprednisolone (Solu-medrol®), which is a corticosteroid given by IV once a day for three to five days. This medication is completely different from the illegal steroids that some athletes use.
大多数患有ADEM的儿童通过高剂量的甲基丙糖酮改善。如果甲基泼尼松龙不起作用，我们还会使用其他治疗方法，例如血浆置换或静脉内免疫球蛋白疗法。
大多数孩子容忍类固醇(medication) very well. But in some children there are side effects such as:
- 暂时的情绪或其他行为改变
- 血压和血糖的增加，您的孩子的医生或护士将监测，并在必要时可以治疗
- 刺激的胃壁
一些儿童将在短时间内放置在称为泼尼松的类固醇上。您的孩子也可能会被处方药物以防止胃部刺激。
ADEM儿童的长期前景是什么？
类固醇治疗可以减轻某些症状，并阻止新症状发展。尽管对患有ADEM的儿童的长期预后有所不同，但大多数儿童都会完全或几乎完全康复，包括那些最初患有严重症状的儿童。
For most children, recovery begins within days and continues for up to one year. Some children can have residual symptoms such as blurred vision, weakness or numbness.