In: Biology
Explain why a child born to a mother who had myasthenia gravis would also experience myasthenia gravis, but only for a short amount of time.
Although myasthenia gravis is not believed to be inherited or contagious, babies born to mothers who have myasthenia gravis have an increased risk of having the disease at birth. This probably is because the baby acquires the antibodies that attack the body's cells from the mother during gestation as Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disorder that causes weakness in muscles around the body. This happens because antibodies destroy some of the places where nerves and muscles meet (neuromuscular connections).
These babies may develop temporary muscle weakness and associated findings (transient neonatal myasthenia gravis). This condition results from the passage of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies through the placenta to the unborn child during pregnancy. Usually the baby's symptoms go away within a few weeks after birth, as the antibodies are naturally replaced.
This is said to be the main reason behind babies born from myasthenia gravis mother have the symptoms for a short period of time.