Acute Flaccid Myelitis Caused by Enterovirus Infection- A Case Report

Ahmad Bilal; Tipu  Sultan; Zia ur Rehman; Arshad  Mehmood; Amber  Shabbir; Javeria  Raza

doi:10.56310/pjns.v19i03.318

Ahmad Bilal Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.
Tipu Sultan Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.
Zia ur Rehman Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.
Arshad Mehmood Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.
Amber Shabbir Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.
Javeria Raza Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Children’s Hospital & University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56310/pjns.v19i03.318

Keywords: acute flaccid myelitis, enterovirus, Pakistan

Abstract

Enterovirus is a member of the Picornaviridae family, an enterovirus. It is suspected of causing a polio-like disorder called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). This case report aims to present a 10-year-old boy who presented with neurological manifestations of weakness of lower limbs and urinary retention. He had reduced tone, absent reflexes, and palpable bladder. MRI spine revealed inflammation in grey matter of spinal cord. He was treated with high dose steroids and IVIG but no improvement was observed. Enterovirus was isolated from his stool sample. The patient received supportive care and physiotherapy with gradual improvement after months, having no evidence of spasticity. We report this case as a rare non polio virus related acute flaccid myelitis in our local population to highlight the importance of alternative diagnosis leading to timely recognition and early management.