Sudden and isolated Broca's aphasia: a new clinical phenotype of anti NMDA receptor antibodies encephalitis in children.

BACKGROUND:Anti NMDA receptor (anti NMDAR) encephalitis is a well-characterized entity in children associating movement disorders, psychiatric features and speech difficulties. Novel phenotypes have been described in adults. METHODS AND RESULTS:A 4-year-old girl presented partial seizures which evolved towards sudden and isolated Broca's aphasia. Anti NMDAR antibodies were positive in CSF and serum confirming anti NMDAR encephalitis. Clinical recovery was observed after a specific treatment. CONCLUSION:This case widens the clinical spectrum of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in children and awareness of this newly identified symptom is important as early treatment is a predictor of good outcome.