Clinical outcomes and Anti-MOG antibodies in pediatric optic neuritis: A prospective observational study

The objective of this study was to look at the clinical outcomes, and to determine the proportion of children with visual recovery after the first demyelinating event of optic neuritis (ON).

In this observational study, children with the first clinical event of optic neuritis at an age less than 18 years were evaluated. High-contrast visual acuity, colour vision, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Anti-MOG and AQP-4 antibodies were assessed.

Of the 55 screened, 45 children (77 eyes), median age-98 months, 30 (67%) bilateral were enrolled. Fifty of 77 eyes (67%) had Snellen visual acuity less than 6/60. Twelve children (27%) were MOG seropositive and 3 had AQP-4 positivity. At median follow up of 35 months, 10 (22%) children had one or more relapses. At follow up, the median (IQR) visual acuity improved from nadir of 2.1 (1-2.7) logMAR to 0 (0-0.18) logMAR and 64/77 eyes (83%) had visual recovery. The diagnosis at last follow up was isolated ON in 39/45 (86.6%), relapsing ON (5, 11%), AQP-4 positive NMOSD (3, 7%), MOG antibody associated demyelination (12, 27%), dual seronegative ON (30,67%) and Multiple sclerosis (1, 2%).

Most children with first demyelinating event as ON have a monophasic illness. Despite severe acute-phase visual loss, most eyes with ON will recover good visual functions. The risk of AQP-4 disease and multiple sclerosis is low in this group.