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Indicators of myasthenia gravis in children include ptosis, strabismus

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Children with ocular myasthenia gravis were found to have a high incidence of ptosis and strabismus, according to a small study. Ocular myasthenia gravis is a neurological disorder that causes weakness in muscle action.

Jong-Hyun Kim, MD, and colleagues at the Seoul (Korea) National University College of Medicine reviewed the records of 25 children under age 15 who developed myasthenia gravis between June 1988 and July 2001.

Of the patients, 96% presented with ptosis and 88% presented with strabismus. The authors noted that exotropia combined with vertical heterotropia was the most frequent type of strabismus seen. Ductions were limited in 71% of patients; supraduction and infraduction were most frequent. Additionally, 21% of patients had amblyopia.

Dr. Kim noted in the study, published in the July issue of Ophthalmology, that more studies determining the ocular symptoms of the disease in childhood are warranted to enable the development of accurate detection methods.