Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) Specialists in Karnataka
Acute Flaccid Myelitis is a rare but serious neurological condition that affects the spinal cord's gray matter, causing sudden muscle weakness and loss of refle…
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What is Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)?
Acute Flaccid Myelitis is a rare but serious neurological condition that affects the spinal cord's gray matter, causing sudden muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, primarily in children.
Severe
Rare — less than 1 in 1 million people per year
No
Causes of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Often associated with viral infections, particularly enteroviruses (EV-D68, EV-A71). The exact mechanism by which viruses trigger AFM is not fully understood.
Symptoms of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
Sudden arm or leg weakness, loss of muscle tone, loss of reflexes in arms or legs, facial droop or weakness, difficulty swallowing or speaking, eye pain or weakness, difficulty moving eyes
Treatment & Types of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) in Karnataka
No specific antiviral treatment exists. Management includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory support if needed, and pain management. Some patients receive IVIG or steroids.
Acute flaccid myelitis doesn't have formally named subtypes, but cases are described by the extent of involvement — limited disease affecting a single limb versus more extensive disease involving multiple limbs, the trunk, or the muscles needed for breathing, which requires more intensive support. Cases are also grouped by the suspected triggering virus, most often enterovirus D68 or A71.
Neurology Specialists in Karnataka (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AFM contagious?
AFM itself isn't contagious, but the viral infections believed to trigger it, such as enteroviruses, can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Can a child fully recover from AFM?
Recovery varies widely — some children regain substantial strength with intensive physical and occupational therapy, while others are left with lasting weakness in the affected limb.
How is AFM different from polio?
Both conditions damage the spinal cord's gray matter and cause sudden limb weakness, but AFM is associated with non-polio enteroviruses rather than the poliovirus.
Is there a vaccine to prevent AFM?
No specific vaccine exists for AFM, though staying up to date on routine vaccinations supports overall protection against other serious infections.
How do doctors confirm the diagnosis?
Diagnosis relies on an MRI showing characteristic spinal cord changes along with a neurological exam and testing of blood, stool, or spinal fluid for the triggering virus.