The results of follow-up studies on 38 cases of myasthenia gravis in infancy and childhood were reported. The duration of observation in this study ranged from three to 17 years (eight years in average) after the onset of the disease.
In 22 cases the myasthenic symptoms remained locally in the extraocular muscles throughout the course, while in other 16 cases bulbar, trunk and extremity muscles were involved at some occasions during the course. The spreading of symptoms in these cases occured at various stages from two weeks to four and half years after the onset of ocular symptoms.
The condition of patients at the last observation was considered as complete cure in 5 cases, remarkably ameliorated in 31, not changed in 1, and aggravated in 1.
The disturbance of ocular movement was the most frequent symptom persisting at the last observa tion, followed by ptosis, double vision, reduced visual acuity and photophobia in frequency, but no bulbar nor extremity symptoms were observed at that time.
Based on both clinical findings and the Tensilon response, symptoms present at the last follow-up observation were considered to be myasthenic as yet only in 25 out of 33 cases, while in other 5 cases symptoms became stationary and not myasthenic.
