Facial Nerve Palsy in Children With Lyme Disease A child who suddenly develops facial drooping is often diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. In Lyme-endemic regions, however, Lyme disease is a common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Recognizing Lyme-related facial palsy is important because treatment strategies differ from those used for idiopathic Bell’s palsy. Facial […]
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PANS-, PANDAS-, and OCD-like Presentations in Children With Lyme Disease Some children with Lyme disease develop sudden behavioral or psychiatric symptoms that resemble pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) or pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). These symptoms may include anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. Because these presentations involve changes
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Neurologic Lyme Disease in Children Lyme disease can affect the nervous system in both adults and children. When the infection involves the nervous system, it is often referred to as Lyme neuroborreliosis. Although neurologic Lyme disease has been widely studied in adults, pediatric cases may present differently and can sometimes be overlooked. Children with neurologic
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Can Lyme Disease Cause Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children? Lyme disease can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in children, particularly when the infection affects the nervous system or contributes to dysautonomia. Although abdominal pain is not the most recognized sign of Lyme disease, some children develop nausea, appetite changes, abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or unexplained stomach pain
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When Lyme Arthritis in Children Is Mistaken for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis When Lyme arthritis in children is mistaken for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, diagnosis and treatment can be delayed. Both conditions can present with swollen joints, minimal pain, and few systemic symptoms. Because the clinical features overlap, children living in Lyme-endemic areas may initially receive a
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Lyme Arthritis Symptoms in Children: Knee Swelling and Limping Lyme arthritis symptoms in children most commonly include swelling of the knee or other large joints. This late manifestation of Lyme disease may appear weeks to months after the initial infection and may occur even when no tick bite or rash was recognized. Because joint swelling
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Herxheimer Reaction in Neonatal Lyme Disease: A Case Report A Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) is a transient inflammatory response that can occur during antibiotic treatment of spirochetal infections. The reaction was first described in patients treated for syphilis but has also been reported in other spirochetal diseases including leptospirosis, relapsing fever, and Lyme disease. Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions
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POTS in children with Lyme disease may present with dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, palpitations, and school difficulty. These symptoms are often overlooked as anxiety or behavioral problems rather than autonomic dysfunction.
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Recognizing Lyme Disease in Children: Lessons From Clinical Practice Over the years in clinical practice I have evaluated a number of adolescents and children with suspected Lyme disease, often after symptoms had evolved over time. While Lyme disease is commonly associated with a rash or joint swelling, many younger patients present with patterns that are
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Facial Palsy in Children: Could It Be Lyme Disease? Facial palsy in children may be caused by Lyme disease, particularly in endemic regions during summer and fall. Although Bell’s palsy is common, Lyme-related facial palsy should be considered when a child develops sudden facial weakness after outdoor exposure or after a recent systemic illness. Because
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