Abstract

JIMENEZ LOPEZ, Mildrey; CRUZ RODRIGUEZ, Javier  and  MESA, Carlos Hidalgo. Myasthenia gravis in adolescence: Apropos of a case . Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.2. ISSN 0864-2125.

A male adolescent that started with a picture of muscle weakness after doing exercises that led him to fail the physical education subject is presented in this paper. Later on, he began to have difficulties to eat and to pronounce words, and to show asymmetry in the muscular strength of both hemibodies. He was admitted and a few days after he had respiratory alterations and it was decided to transfer him to an intensive care unit and to couple him to a mechanical ventilator. In that opportunity, there was no response to the administration of anticholinesterase agents; however, he began to improve with steroids. His evolution was satisfactory with a slow and progressive recovery of the muscle strength. The treatment with anticholinesterase agents was gradually re-established with a good response this time.

Keywords : Myasthenia gravis; autoimmune disease; acetylcholine; neuromuscular disease.

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