Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis in Childhood

The recent identification of an autoimmune process targeting muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) in a subset of seronegative patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis promises to improve diagnostic accuracy and redirect therapy in at least some seronegative children and adolescents with myasthenia. Clinical features, diagnostic methods, and management strategies pertinent to children with autoimmune myasthenia are discussed, as well as the emerging data regarding the anti-MuSK autoimmune process in myasthenia gravis.

KEYWORDS

Juvenile myasthenia gravis - MuSK antibody - seronegative - thymectomy

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