Acquired Attentional Deterioration as a Diagnostic Pitfall in Child Psychiatry: A Pediatric Case of Possible Anti-GABABR Encephalitis With a Narrative Literature Review

Abstract Background: Attentional complaints are common in child psychiatry and are often initially considered within a primary attentional-disorder framework. However, acute or subacute deterioration in attention, functioning, or emotional state may warrant diagnostic reassessment, particularly when accompanied by medical or neurological red flags. Pediatric anti–gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptor (anti-GABABR) encephalitis is extremely rare. This report describes a child initially evaluated for worsening attentional difficulties who was subsequently classified as having possible autoimmune encephalitis with serum anti-GABABR positivity, and provides a focused narrative review of reported pediatric cases.