Abstract: 　Objective　To explore the clinical manifestations, imaging, and electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in children. Method　The clinical data of 69 children who were hospitalized from June 2015 to March 2019 and diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis were retrospectively analyzed. Results　In 69 children (39 boys and 30 girls) aged 6 months to 13.5 years, convulsions and epileptic seizures were the most common symptoms (50 cases, 72.5%). The anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid were all positive, and 3 cases were positive for overlapping MOG antibodies at the same time. Among 66 children who had head MRI, the most frequently damaged area was the temporal lobe (37 cases). Among the 67 children who had EEG, 54 were abnormal. The most common change was extensive slow wave (20 cases, 29.9%), and the rhythm of occipital region was relatively preserved. The discharge was mainly localized, and the discharge in frontal, temporal and occipital areas was common, which was consistent with clinical attack. Conclusions　The initial symptom of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in children is mainly convulsive epilepsy. About 50% of them have abnormal MRI and EEG abnormalities are more common.

Key words: anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis;　clinical symptom;　electroencephalography;　imaging;　child