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Cortical Blindness in a Child Secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection
A Garcia Tirado1, B Jimenez-Rolando2, S Noval1
1Department of Ophtalmology, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPaz, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
Our objective is to present a case of an uncommon complication associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a child where cortical blindness was the main clinical feature. Stroke due to an infection by M. pneumoniae is very uncommon. No consensus has been reached on the pathogenesis, although several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed. Occlusion of posterior cerebral circulation is the most uncommon central nervous system complication of M. pneumoniae infection being reported. Symptoms are usually hemiplegia and dysarthria. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who suffered cortical blindness due to a stroke 2 days after M. pneumoniae infection. This is the first case of documented cortical blindness due to posterior cerebral arteries occlusion in children after M. pneumoniae infection.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can cause rare strokes in children, leading to cortical blindness. This case highlights a unique instance of posterior cerebral artery occlusion in a pediatric patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are common in children.
- Central nervous system complications are rare but serious.
- Cerebral artery occlusion is an exceptionally uncommon complication.
Observation:
- A 6-year-old boy presented with cortical blindness.
- The blindness occurred 2 days after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.
- Imaging revealed posterior cerebral artery occlusion.
Findings:
- This case represents the first documented instance of cortical blindness in a child secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced posterior cerebral artery occlusion.
- The clinical presentation differed from typical stroke symptoms like hemiplegia and dysarthria.
Implications:
- This case expands the spectrum of known neurological complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in children.
- It underscores the importance of considering infectious etiologies in pediatric stroke, even with atypical presentations.
- Further research into the pathogenic mechanisms linking Mycoplasma pneumoniae to cerebral vasculopathy is warranted.
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