Probable Vanishing White Matter Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND፡ Vanishing white matter disease is one of the most prevalent inherited childhood leukoencephalopathies. The disease is characterized by chronic, progressive and episodic deterioration with ataxia and spasticity.
CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a 15-month-old female child from Dire-Dawa, eastern part of Ethiopia, who presented with regression of developmental milestones and truncal ataxia since her age of 11 months following a febrile illness that occurred one month earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain is suggestive of vanishing white matter disease.
CONCLUSIONS: We believe this case report will increase curiosity, awareness and knowledge of health professionals in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa working with children in early consideration and the diagnosis of the disease.