Clinical course, treatment responses and outcomes in Chinese paediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Few data exists on paediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Here, we investigated the clinical presentation, treatment responses and long-term prognoses in a large cohort of patients with NMOSD and compared between children and adults with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG). A retrospective chart review of patients followed in multiple centres identified 127 patients with NMOSD (31 children; 96 adults). Data were collected through medical records and structured questionnaire. In the paediatric cohort, median age at onset was 14 (range 7-17) years; 87% were female. AQP4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies were detected in 82% and 16%, respectively. During a median disease duration of 48 months, 23% developed visual acuity of