Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord. AFM can cause neurologic (brain) illness with limb weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. AFM can result from a variety of causes, including viral infections, environmental toxins, genetic disorders, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurologic disorder caused by an abnormal immune response that attacks the body’s nerves. Despite extensive laboratory testing, a cause for AFM is often unable to be identified. There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a healthcare provider who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses (neurologist) may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis.