Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder. When it presents in pediatric patients — those under 18 years of age — the clinical picture calls for careful adaptation of therapeutic choices because of important tolerability differences compared with adults.
This protocol addresses children under 18 years diagnosed with stiff person syndrome. Although pediatric SPS is rare, reported cases highlight that applied therapies require special attention in this age group — in particular, certain drug classes commonly used in adults carry poor tolerability in younger patients and must be approached with caution.
Given the tolerability constraints in this population, the approach prioritises early initiation of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy combined with supportive physical therapies. Where pharmacological augmentation of GABA pathways is indicated, agents are selected specifically for their more favourable tolerability profile in younger patients.
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200109
Although rare in children, there are several reported cases that require special attention in reference to applied therapies especially with the use of GABAA receptor-binding drugs due to poor tolerance.
Due to these limitations, early IVIG initiation therapy along with supportive therapies is highly advisable.
The same applies to the other GABA enhancers, with the better tolerated ones being low doses of baclofen and gabapentin.
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