Acute flaccid myelitis

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 be the result of a number 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. Even with extensive laboratory testing, doctors can't always pinpoint a cause for AFM. 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.