Copyright © 2025 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{174301,
        author = {Dr Roshni R and Dr Sugata Mahapatra and Dr Rupanagudi Tanvi and Dr Palakurthi Jaya Sri},
        title = {A Rare Case of Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis in a Child: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {11},
        number = {10},
        pages = {3459-3461},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=174301},
        abstract = {Background: Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) is a rare, immune-mediated neurological disorder characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and altered consciousness. It shares clinical and pathophysiological similarities with Miller Fisher syndrome and Guillain-Barré syndrome, posing diagnostic challenges in pediatric cases.
Case Presentation: A 5-year-old male presented with progressive neurological deterioration, including ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and decreased consciousness. Initial investigations ruled out infectious and metabolic causes, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis and nerve conduction studies supported an immune-mediated process. MRI findings and antiganglioside antibody testing confirmed BBE. The child was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin and supportive care and followed up.
Conclusion: BBE should be considered in pediatric patients presenting with acute brainstem dysfunction. Early recognition, differentiation from other post-infectious neurological syndromes, and prompt immunotherapy are crucial for favorable outcomes.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {March},
        }