Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Electrophysiological Measurements and Analysis of Nociception in Human Infants
Published on: December 20, 2011
A profile of childhood neuropathies at a university hospital in Oman
Roshan Koul1, Alexander Chacko, Hashim Javed
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Child Health Ward (1), Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al Khod 123, Sultanate of Oman. roshankoul@hotmail.com
Insights
Childhood neuropathies were analyzed, finding Acute Guillain-Barré syndrome most common. Treatable neuropathies comprised over half of cases in children under 14.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Neuroscience
- Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Background:
- Childhood neuropathies present with diverse clinical features, including acute flaccid paralysis and chronic weakness.
- Understanding the epidemiology and types of neuropathies in children is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the profile, pattern, clinical features, and management of childhood neuropathies in patients under 14 years of age.
- To identify the most prevalent types of neuropathies and their underlying causes in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective and prospective study evaluated children with symptoms suggestive of neuropathy.
- Data were collected from hospital medical records, pediatric neurology clinics, and neurophysiology labs.
- Inclusion criteria covered acute flaccid paralysis, chronic weakness, neuroregression, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Main Results:
- Eighty-two children were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
- Acute Guillain-Barré syndrome was the most frequent diagnosis (45.1%).
- Genetic neuropathies (20.7% to 11%) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (6.1%) were also identified.
Conclusions:
- Acute Guillain-Barré syndrome is the predominant acquired neuropathy in children.
- Over half of the identified neuropathies were treatable, while a significant portion were preventable genetic conditions.
Objective:
To analyze all cases of childhood neuropathies (under 14 years of age) and report on their profile, pattern, clinical features and management.
Methods:
Children with acute flaccid paralysis, longstanding weakness of extremities, neuroregression and children receiving anti cancer drugs with symptoms suggestive of neuropathy were evaluated for evidence of peripheral neuropathy. The evaluation of children with acute flaccid paralysis was a prospective study from January 1992 through to December 2000. The rest of the patients were studied retrospectively from the hospital medical records, pediatric neurology outpatient clinic and the neurophysiology laboratory, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al-Khod, Oman
Results:
Eighty-two (39 Male: 43 Female) children were found to have peripheral neuropathy. Acute Guillain-Barré [corrected] syndrome was the most common with 37 children (45.1%), followed by genetic neuropathies [hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with 17 (20.7%), hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy with 2 (2.4%), hereditary spastic paraplegia associated neuropathy with 9 (11%) and metachromatic leucodystrophy with 9 (11%)]. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy was seen in 5 (6.1%) and vincristine induced neuropathy in 3 (3.5%) children.
Conclusion:
Acute Guillain-Barré [corrected] syndrome is the most common neuropathy amongst the acquired neuropathies. The treatable neuropathies constituted 54.7% (45 children) and the preventable genetic neuropathies accounted for the remaining 45.3% (37 children)
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:22Diabetic Neuropathy
01:26Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management