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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:34 Symptoms of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
1:21 Causes of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
2:07 Diagnosis for Acute Flaccid Myelitis
2:41 Treatment for Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a serious condition of the spinal cord.[3][5] Symptoms include rapid onset of arm or leg weakness and decreased reflexes.[3] Difficulty moving the eyes, speaking, or swallowing may also occur.[3] Occasionally, numbness or pain may be present.[3] Complications can include trouble breathing.[3]

The cause of most cases is unclear as of 2018.[4] More than 90% of recent cases have followed a mild viral infection such as from enteroviruses.[4] While polio can cause AFM, since 2014, it has not been involved in cases in the United States.[3][6] The underlying mechanism involves damage to the spinal cord's grey matter.[3] Diagnosis may be supported by medical imaging of the spine, nerve conduction studies, and cerebrospinal fluid testing.[3][5]

Treatment involves supportive care.[5][3] Physical therapy may be recommended.[3] Occasionally, mechanical ventilation is required to support breathing.[3] Outcomes are variable.[5] The condition is rare and occurs most commonly in children.[4] Fewer than one in 500,000 children is affected per year in the United States.[3] Although the illness is not new, an increase in cases has been seen since 2014 in the United States.[3] In 2018, 233 cases were confirmed in the United States.[7]