Abstract
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate（NMDA）receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis that manifests as neuropsychiatric symptoms, including psychiatric disturbances and involuntary movements, typically following an infection. Herein, we report the case of a 3-year-old girl who presented with recurrent afebrile seizures without any preceding symptoms. The patient experienced seizures 18, 13, and 6 days before admission, with clear consciousness during the interictal periods. Electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed no abnormalities. Two days before admission, the patient developed psychiatric symptoms and involuntary movements. Based on various examinations conducted after admission, autoimmune encephalitis was diagnosed, and treatment was initiated. Subsequently, cerebrospinal fluid analysis confirmed the presence of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies, which led to a definitive diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. In pediatric cases, even in the absence of typical onset patterns, early treatment should be considered when neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as psychiatric disturbances and involuntary movements, are observed, with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis included as a differential diagnosis.
