Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Carpal tunnel syndrome in children
Nathalie Van Meir1, Luc De Smet
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Pellenberg University Hospital, Lubbeek, Pellenberg, Belgium.
Insights
Carpal tunnel syndrome is rare in infants. This study details five infant cases, including those caused by storage diseases like mucolipidosis and mucopolysaccharidosis, macrodactyly, and familial inheritance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Genetics
Background:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is uncommon in the pediatric population, particularly in infants.
- Understanding the diverse etiologies of infantile CTS is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a series of five infants diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
- To review the literature on infantile carpal tunnel syndrome since 1989.
Main Methods:
- Case series presentation of five infants with CTS.
- Review of relevant medical literature.
Main Results:
- Five patients (nine affected hands) with infantile carpal tunnel syndrome were identified.
- Etiologies included storage diseases (mucolipidosis type III, mucopolysaccharidosis type I), macrodactyly, and familial CTS.
- One case had been previously reported.
Conclusions:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome in infants, though rare, can stem from various underlying conditions.
- Early identification of these diverse causes is essential for appropriate pediatric care.
Abstract:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition rarely encountered in infants. We describe five patients with nine involved hands. One was reported earlier. In three cases the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is a storage disease: one girl with mucolipidosis type III and a boy and a girl with mucopolysaccharidosis type I. The fourth case is a girl presenting with unilateral macrodactyly of the right third and fourth digits. The last case involves a boy with familial carpal tunnel syndrome. We briefly discuss these patients and review the literature since 1989.
