Acute Flaccid Myelitits Flashcards
1
Q
What is it
A
rare and polio like condition that affects the motor neurons in the gray matter of spinal cord causing muscles and reflexes to become weak
2
Q
what population does this mainly occur in
A
- children
- seen with increasing frequency over recent years
3
Q
etiology
A
- unknown
- no specific pathogens have been identified by viruses are suspected
- most patients have prior history of mild respiratory illness or fever
4
Q
symptoms
A
- sudden onset of arm or leg weakness
- loss of muscle tone and reflexes
- difficulty moving the eyes or eyelid drooping, facial droop or weakness, and difficult with swallowing or speech
- pain in neck, back or limb may be early symptom
- some may have inflammation of both gray and white matter (UMN and LMN)
5
Q
can result in
A
partial or total paralysis of just one or all limbs
- weakness most often occurs in proximal muscles
6
Q
severest symptoms
A
- respiratory failure
7
Q
prognosis
A
most patients regain some strength over time; many do not recover full function
8
Q
A
