OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics of acute pandysautonomia in childhood, to gain better understanding of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 6 children with acute pandysautonomia were analyzed and followed-up. All the 6 patients had routine blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), electrocardiography (ECG), electromyography (EMG), cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and autonomic nerve function tests (head upright tilt test, dermatography test, and thermal/sympathetic sweat response). Other laboratory examinations such as immunologic markers of CSF, electroencephalography (EEG), spinal cord MRI and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were also performed in some patients.

RESULTSOf the 6 patients, 1 was male, and 5 were female. The age of onset was from 2.3 to 14.5 years (average 8.2 years). The initial symptoms were gastrointestinal dysfunction in 3 patients and somatic motor dysfunction as their initial symptoms, one had irritability in 1 case, pain in 1 and dysphagia in 1, respectively. Autonomic nerve signs and symptoms: (1) Skin and mucosa are rough and dry, there was no or little perspiration, alacrimia or little tear in all patients. (2) Vision problem appeared in 1 patient, blepharoptosis in 3 patients, pupillary abnormality existed in all patients. (3) Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in all patients. Vomiting and constipation were present in 4 patients, diarrhea and constipation were alternatively present in 1 patient, abdominal distention and abdominal pain were present in 2 patients. (4) Cardiovascular system manifestations included postural dizziness or syncope in 3 patients, tightness and palpitation in 2 patients. (5) Urinary dysfunction was present in 4 patients. In addition, mild to moderate somatic motor dysfunction was present in 5 patients, sensory dysfunction in 3 patients. Autonomic nerve function tests were abnormal in all patients. Laboratory findings included serum IgM antibody to herpes simplex virus and antistreptolysin "O" (ASO) test were positive respectively in 1 patient. The immunological markers in CSF were abnormal in 3 patients and the protein level in CSF was slightly elevated in 3 patients. Cranial MRI was slightly abnormal in 4 patients. ECG was slightly abnormal in all patients. EMG was abnormal in 5 patients. SEP was abnormal in 3 patients. Five patients received IVIG therapy. Five patients were followed-up. One patient died, one lost to follow up and one had slight improvement. Significant improvement was seen in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONAcute pandysautonomia in children usually had non-specific symptoms and could affect multiple organs. Heterotropia, cardiovascular dysfunction and gastrointestinal dysfunction were commonly seen in these patients. In acute pandysautonomia patients, IVIG seemed to be effective and the prognosis was poor in severe cases.