Welcome to "PICU Doc on Call," the podcast where real cases meet real expertise at the bedside! Join Dr. Monica Gray, Dr. Pradip Kamat, and Dr. Rahul Damania as they unravel the mysteries of pediatric critical care. In today’s episode, our team dives into the compelling case of a previously healthy seven-year-old girl who arrives with seizures, right arm weakness, and sudden respiratory failure. Together, they’ll break down the diagnosis and management of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease, also known as MOGAD. This autoimmune demyelinating disorder can challenge even the most seasoned clinicians.

Tune in as our experts walk you through the clinical features, essential diagnostic workup, and the critical importance of early immunosuppressive therapy. Whether you’re at the bedside or on the go, this episode is packed with practical pearls and a multidisciplinary approach to recognizing and treating acute pediatric neuroimmunological emergencies in the PICU. Let’s get started!

Show Highlights:

• Presentation of a complex pediatric case involving a seven-year-old girl with new-onset seizures and acute respiratory failure
• Discussion of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) as an autoimmune demyelinating disorder
• Overview of the clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for autoimmune encephalitis
• Importance of a broad differential diagnosis, including infectious and autoimmune causes, in pediatric patients with seizures and neurological deficits
• Diagnostic approach involving MRI, lumbar puncture, and antibody testing for MOGAD
• Management strategies for MOGAD, including stabilization, seizure control, and immunosuppressive therapy
• Neurocritical care considerations for monitoring and treating elevated intracranial pressure
• Long-term management challenges and the need for multidisciplinary care in pediatric patients with MOGAD
• Discussion of potential outcomes and the risk of relapse in children with MOGAD.
• Emphasis on the importance of early and comprehensive diagnostic testing to avoid misdiagnosis

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