mycoplasma pneumonia and encephalitis

[Tracey Michelle]

My daughter began losing the mobility in the right side of her body the beginning of March of this year. A month later she was treated for mycoplasma pneumonia and encephalitis. Her hands and joints contracted and her mobility and stability was severely compromised. Several months later she lost the ability to speak and has since been put on a puree diet. After months of testing, there is still no diagnoses for her condition. We know that it is not a genetic disorder, and many degenerative deseases have been ruled out. Her MRI showed myelin break down in several areas of her brain, could this all be related to the pneumonia?
Is it possible that this is caused by a toxin she has been accidently coming in contact with somewhere? Her Doctor's have said this is extremely rare and have minimal experience with a condition like hers. I would very much appreciate any advice on any avenues to explore.

Thank-you,

Tracey Michelle

[Dr_prakesh]

It sounds like your daughter had a condition called ADEM (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis)..please clarify this issue by asking your neurologist if this is the precise diagnosis.

Is she improving? In general kids with ADEM get better so this is important to know.

[clinicalguru3]

I agree.

You may like to look at this page about ADEM.

ALl the best and wishing your daughter well soon.

[Tracey Michelle]

Thank-you so much for your response.

That is what her doctors feel it may be, however they can not confirm diagnoses because she began losing mobility several weeks before she became acutely ill, they believe her sudden illnes could have been a secondary infection caused by exsposure in the hospital and a compromised immune system. Their other concern is that she does continue to deteriorate, her mobilty appears to be imroving slowly, however her balance has become worse and her loss of speech and eating abilty deteriorated several months after.

Your help is so appreciated.

Thank-you,

Tracey