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Vital Signs





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						Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)
						Updated Aug. 11, 2020
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										A person clasping the hand of a patient to comfort them.Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)Recognize symptoms. Hospitalize immediately.Most patients first sought care at an emergency department (ED).
Most patients first sought care at an emergency department.Most patients with AFM were hospitalized.
Most patients with AFM were hospitalized.
Most patients with AFM were hospitalized.Over half were admitted to the ICU. 1 in 4 hospitalized patients required a ventilator.
Over half were admitted to the ICU. 1 in 4 hospitalized patients required a ventilator.
Over half were admitted to the ICU. 1 in 4 hospitalized patients required a ventilator.OverviewAcute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an uncommon, but life-threatening neurologic condition that affects mostly children and can lead to permanent paralysis. Enteroviruses, particularly EV-D68, are likely responsible for the increase in cases every two years since 2014. AFM is a medical emergency and patients must be hospitalized and monitored in case they progress to respiratory failure. Prompt recognition and immediate action by pediatricians, and emergency department and urgent care providers are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes.
AFM typically presents with sudden limb weakness. Most patients had respiratory illness or fever before AFM onset.
Patient health can decline quickly, resulting in paralysis or the need for a ventilator. AFM can lead to permanent disability.
Patients who tested positive for EV-D68 typically had more severe AFM illness, requiring hospitalized intensive care and ventilation.
Most cases occur between August and November.Look Out for AFM signs and symptoms. Limb weakness and paralysis: the most common symptom of AFM. Some people may experience: Recent or current respiratory illness, Fever, Pain or numbness in the limb(s), Gait difficulty, Headache, Back or neck pain, Difficulty talking or swallowing, and Neck or facial weakness.View LargerCloseLook Out for AFM signs and symptoms. Limb weakness and paralysis: the most common symptom of AFM. Some people may experience: Recent or current respiratory illness, Fever, Pain or numbness in the limb(s), Gait difficulty, Headache, Back or neck pain, Difficulty talking or swallowing, and Neck or facial weakness.Download Image[JPG]
View Text Description
SOURCE: MMWR, August 2020.ProblemDelays in recognition can put patients at risk
A third of patients were hospitalized two or more days after limb weakness.
**When clinicians recognize AFM early, they can quickly**
Hospitalize patients and provide optimal medical management and rehabilitation.
Collect clinical specimens and order a brain and spinal cord MRI. Done early, these help detect the cause and distinguish AFM from other conditions with limb weakness.The Way Forward**Healthcare Providers Can:**
Suspect AFM in patients with sudden limb weakness, especially between August and November.
Collect clinical specimens immediately and report cases to the state health department.
Request specialty consultations such as infectious disease and neurology.**Health Departments Can:**
Communicate information about AFM to healthcare providers.
Work with CDC to collect medical information, specimens, MRI images, and classify cases.**Parents Can:**
Seek medical care immediately if a child develops sudden arm or leg weakness.
Seek support from other parents and families affected by AFM.
Visit CDC’s AFM parent webpage**Contact AFM Specialists** through the AFM Physician Consult and Support PortalEvaluation checklist for possible AFMA doctor testing a patient's reflexes.**Age-appropriate neurological exam**
Muscle strength in all four limbs (What is their strength? Can they move the limb against gravity with resistance?)
Muscle tone (Is it loose/floppy?)
Reflexes (Are they hypo-, hyper-, or absent?)
Cranial nerve assessment (Are there any cranial nerve deficits?)Issue Details**Related Pages and Resources**
*Vital Signs:* Press Release – Los CDC prevén brote de la potencialmente mortal mielitis flácida aguda en el 2020 [Spanish]
*Vital Signs*: Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Confirmed Acute Flaccid Myelitis, United States, 2018 — United States, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (*MMWR*)
AFM Cases and Outbreaks
For Clinicians and Health Departments
Specimen Collection Instructions
Interim Considerations for Clinical Management
Job Aid on how to send information to the health department about a patient under investigation (PUI) for AFM [444 KB, 2 pages]
For Parents of Children with AFM
Public Health Grand Rounds: Acute Flaccid Myelitis
CDC Webinar Acute Flaccid Myelitis: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know in 2020**Other Sites**
Siegal Rare Neuroimmune Association AFM Physician Consult and Support Portal
Siegal Rare Neuroimmune Association Patient Resources
AFM Association
AFM, American Academy of Pediatrics**Science Behind the Issue**
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (*MMWR*)
Science Clips**For More Information**
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
Web: www.cdc.gov**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention**
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
Publication date: August 4, 2020
							
					
							Last Updated Aug. 11, 2020														Source: 	Office of the Associate Director for Communication
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