Diffuse myelitis in a 9-month-old infant: case report and review of the literature

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare but severe inflammatory demyelinating disorder that usually involves both sensory and motor tracts of the spinal cord [1]. It is characterized by rapid onset of paraplegia or tetraplegia, loss of sensation and sphincter disturbance, and in rare cases it can cause respiratory insufficiency. This disease occurs commonly among adults and rarely in the paediatric population, especially children under 2 years of age [2,3]. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms and trigger factors that result in neural injury are not well understood. However, recent studies point to a variety of humoral and cellular immune derangements that potentially result in neuronal injury and demyelination [4,5].