A first case of childhood chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with alopecia universalis

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system with unknown etiology. Alopecia universalis, an advanced form of alopecia areata (AA), is a condition characterized by complete hair loss. Here we report the first case of childhood CIDP associated with AA who was successfully treated with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and corticosteroids. CASE REPORT: This case describes a nine-year-old Japanese girl who developed alopecia, progressive muscle weakness, and eventually loss of walking ability (at ages 2, 4, and 7, respectively). She was treated with IVIg and prednisolone combination therapy, which improved muscle weakness and alopecia. She was positive for serum IgG-GM2 type anti-glycolipid antibodies, which may be associated with this rare combination of diseases.

Keywords: Alopecia areata; Alopecia universalis; CIDP; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Combination; IVIg; IgG-GM2 anti-glycolipid antibody; Intravenous immunoglobulin; Prednisolone.