Learn about Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis

Cary D. Buckner, M.D. , talks about neonatal Myasthenia Gravis

Learn about Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis Male1: If a young female have Myasthenia Gravis as she gets pregnant, when she delivers a baby, could the baby have some problems initially? Male2: Sure. We talked a little bit about the acetylcholine receptor antibody and that antibody can cross the placenta and get into the baby’s bloodstream so when the baby is born, it doesn’t really have Myasthenia Gravis. It can’t produce that antibody but it received that antibody possibly into its bloodstream and when it’s born it can be seriously ill due to what we talked about before, respiratory muscle weakness and generalized muscle weakness. And the good thing about this is, is that if you’re prepared and you know this could happen then the neonatal team will be prepared to support the baby with the breathing machine if necessary through a period of several weeks. And after that, there should be no problem because the antibodies broken down. Male1: So, we refer to as a transitory or forget it for sharp—sign and eventually that antibody leaves the child and the kid is okay. Male2: Right, Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis.