Premium
Pulse oral corticosteroids in pediatric chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Author(s) -
Rogers Amanda B.,
Zaidman Craig M.,
Connolly Anne M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.27058
Subject(s) - medicine , chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy , polyneuropathy , corticosteroid , medical record , pediatrics , demographics , surgery , immunology , antibody , demography , sociology
Childhood onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) often requires long‐term immunomodulatory therapy. We report a comprehensive review of our treatment of pediatric CIDP with a focus on high‐dose weekly corticosteroids (“pulse oral corticosteroids”), a treatment method that is not commonly reported. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of pediatric patients with CIDP treated at our center between 2000 and 2018 for whom we had at least 12 mo follow‐up. Here, we describe the demographics, disease course, treatment regimens, and long‐term outcomes of these patients. Twenty‐five patients were identified for analysis. Pulse oral corticosteroid monotherapy was the predominant maintenance treatment in 56% of patients. Patients were followed for a median of 4 y. Side effects were seen in a minority of patients. The probability of a normal exam or being off treatment at last follow‐up was similar regardless of predominant maintenance therapy. Pulse oral corticosteroid therapy is a safe and effective long‐term treatment option in children with CIDP.