A 6-year-old girl presents with unsteady gait, difficulty climbing stairs, choking on saliva, ascending numbness, absent knee jerk reflex, elevated CSF protein with normal cell cou... A 6-year-old girl presents with unsteady gait, difficulty climbing stairs, choking on saliva, ascending numbness, absent knee jerk reflex, elevated CSF protein with normal cell count, and reduced nerve conduction velocity following a viral gastroenteritis. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment? A. Plasma exchange B. Immunoglobulin C. Methotrexate D. Steroids
Understand the Problem
The question describes a 6-year-old girl presenting with symptoms suggestive of a neurological disorder following a viral illness. The symptoms include unsteady gait, difficulty climbing stairs, choking on saliva, ascending numbness, absent knee jerk reflex, elevated CSF protein with normal cell count, and reduced nerve conduction velocity. Based on the clinical presentation, lab findings, and history, we need to determine the most appropriate treatment option.
Answer
B. Immunoglobulin
The most appropriate treatment is B. Immunoglobulin. The patient's presentation is highly suggestive of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a post-infectious autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. Immunoglobulin therapy is a first-line treatment for GBS.
Answer for screen readers
The most appropriate treatment is B. Immunoglobulin. The patient's presentation is highly suggestive of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a post-infectious autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. Immunoglobulin therapy is a first-line treatment for GBS.
More Information
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. It is often triggered by a preceding infection, such as a viral gastroenteritis. The typical presentation includes ascending weakness, sensory disturbances, and areflexia (absent reflexes). Elevated CSF protein with normal cell count is a characteristic finding in GBS.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse GBS with other neurological conditions that may present with similar symptoms. Always consider the patient's history, clinical findings, and laboratory results to make an accurate diagnosis.
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