[Care continuity for patients with myasthenia gravis during transition from childhood to adulthood].

The onset of myasthenia gravis in Japan shows two peaks, the highest in childhood, which has specific HLA association. The clinical types are ocular, latent general and general types, latent general is most frequently observed. Clinical characteristics and effects of the treatments are associated with the clinical types and ages at onset. Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody is negative to low positive. Age-dependent changes, i. e., higher as age advances are observed, and general type shows higher titer than other types. Treatments consist of anticholinesterase, steroid and thymectomy. Most ocular and latent general type responded to anticholinesterase and/or steroid. General type with onset in teens often needed thymectomy. The early initiation of the adequate treatments resulted in the complete remission in most cases. Associated complications and side effects of long-term treatments should be carefully observed.