Neurológia pre prax 1/2022

Acquired neuropathies in children

Neuropathy (peripheral nerve damage) is divided into mononeuropathy (involvement of one peripheral nerves) and polyneuropathy (two or more affected nerves) often referred to simply as neuropathy. The main causes of mononeuropathy in children are injuries. In polyneuropathies, the causes are mainly hereditary, followed by immune-mediated neuropathies (dysimmune/autoimmune), neuropathies in acute infections, toxic (most often in cancer treatment), malnutrition and metabolism. Although acquired neuropathies in children are relatively rare, the damage becomes irreversible and mutilating at a misdiagnosis. Only early diagnosis and treatment can reverse this process.

Keywords: acquired neuropathies in children, immune-mediated polyneuropathy, neuropathies in malignancies and others