Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children
Abstract
ORIGINAL STUDIES Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children A Prospective Study of Clinical features, Prognosis, and Outcome Barbro Hedin Skogman, MD, PhD,*† Stefan Croner, MD, PhD,*# Maria Nordwall, MD, PhD,‡ Mattias Eknefelt, MD,§ Jan Ernerudh, MD, PhD, and Pia Forsberg, MD, PhD¶ Background: Evaluation of children with clinically suspected neu- roborreliosis (NB) is difficult. With a prospective study design we wanted to characterize children with signs and symptoms indicative for NB, investigate clinical outcome and, if possible, identify factors of importance for recovery. Material/Methods: Children being evaluated for NB (n 177) in southeast Sweden were categorized into 3 groups: “confirmed neu- roborreliosis” (41%) with Borrelia antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid, “possible neuroborreliosis” (26%) with pleocytosis but no Borrelia antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid, and “not determined” (33%) with no pleocytosis and no Borrelia antibodies in the cere- brospinal fluid. Antibiotic treatment was given to 69% of children. Patients were followed during 6 months and compared with a matched control group (n 174). Results: Clinical recovery at the 6-month follow-up (n 177) was generally good and no patient was found to have recurrent or progressive neurologic symptoms. However, persistent facial nerve palsy caused dysfunctional and cosmetic problems in 11% of pa- tients. Persistent nonspecific symptoms, such as headache and fa- tigue, were not more frequently reported in patients than in controls. Influence on daily life was reported to the same extent in patients and controls. Consequently, persistent headache and fatigue at follow-up should not be considered as attributable to NB. No prognostic factors could be identified. Conclusions: Clinical recovery was satisfactory in children being evaluated for NB although persistent symptoms from facial nerve palsy occurred. Persistent nonspecific symptoms, such as headache and fatigue, were not more frequently reported in patient
Key Biomarkers
Symptom Clusters
References (3)
- Neurologic manifestations in children with North American Lyme diseaseNeurology · 1993
- An epidemiologic study of Lyme disease in southern SwedenNew England Journal of Medicine · 1995
- Lyme neuroborreliosis: improvements of the laboratory diagnosis and a survey of epidemiological and clinical features in Denmark 1985-1990PubMed · 1994
Related Papers
- Herbal Therapeutics for CIRS Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Mechanistic and Molecular Approach for Neuroimmune Pathology in PediatricsMedical Research Archives · 2025 · 2 shared tags
- A One Health Zoonotic Vector Borne Infectious Disease Family Outbreak InvestigationPathogens · 2025 · 2 shared tags
- Exploring Structured Camel Milk Therapy Alongside an Individualised Botanical Support Protocol to Facilitate Immune Modulation in a Child Diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS Co-Morbid with Lyme Disease and AutismJournal of Camel Practice and Research · 2025 · 2 shared tags
- Neuroplasticity Intervention, Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR), Significantly Improves Overall Health and Functioning Across Various Chronic Conditions.PubMed · 2023 · 2 shared tags
- Introduction to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)2023 · 2 shared tags
- TUBB1, TUBA4A and MAPK as Indicators of Die-Back Degenerative Central Nervous System Disease in Patients Sickened by Specific Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water- Damaged Buildings