New international treatment guideline for encephalitis released

A new international treatment guideline for the most common single form of encephalitis in children is set to change clinical practice and impact children worldwide. The study led by Professor Russell Dale, Clinical Director of Kids Neuroscience Centre, brought 25 experts together from 5 continents around the world, with a goal to standardise treatment for Paediatric NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis (NMDARE). 

NMDRAE is one of the most common forms of encephalitis, affecting 5,000 – 10,000 children globally each year. It has a mortality rate of 5% and morbidity of 50% if untreated. It is characterised by neurological and psychiatric features alongside positive NMDAR autoantibodies. These new guidelines will help standardise treatment for children around the world.

The international consensus recommendation was created with support from the Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance to standardise treatment and provide a practical decision support tool for clinicians confronted with this challenging condition. This is a powerful tool in ensuring treatment is consistent and effective. Last year, Professor Dale led the first consensus guideline for the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis in children, which has increased the recognition of this treatable cause of encephalitis.

Read the full article on Kids Neuroscience Centre here

To learn more about Prof Dale's work, click here