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Confirmed acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is defined as acute limb weakness associated with gray matter lesions in the spinal cord spanning ≥1 spinal segments demonstrated on MRI. Probable cases manifest with acute limb weakness and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis of >5 leukocytes per mm3. Weakness is almost invariably preceded by a viral-like syndrome, which may affect the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract.
From January 1 to November 2, 2018, the CDC confirmed 80 cases in 25 states, a threefold increase compared with the same period in 2017. Median patient age was 4 years, 59% of patients were male, and 86% were white. Involvement of only upper limbs was reported in 47.5% of patients, involvement of only lower limbs in 8.8%, and invo…