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Neuropathy in Children

Neuropathy is defined as nerve (neuro) pain (opathy). Commonly associated with certain specific diseases, it can manifest itself equally in both the young and the old. Its symptoms often present as burning pain along nerve pathways, most often in the feet and legs, but also affecting other nerve pathways throughout the body.

  1. Peripheral Neuropathy

    • The most common complication of Type I Diabetes is peripheral neuropathy. Commonly found in young insulin dependent individuals, peripheral neuropathy causes pain, burning and partial loss of feeling in the limbs, mainly in the feet and legs, but also spreading to the hands and arms as the disease progresses. Early treatment and control of blood sugar is a key element in preventing peripheral neuropathy.

    Optic Neuropathy

    • A rare complication of Lyme disease, optic neuropathy can cause partial or total vision loss due to inflammation of the optic nerve or intracranial pressure. It attacks both the young and old but there is more risk of complications in younger patients. Optic neuropathy in Lyme disease usually manifests itself as headaches, usually occipital, but may radiate to the area around the eyes known as the orbits. As the disease progresses, intracranial pressure may increase visual disturbances may appear and vision loss may occur.

    Auditory Neuropathy

    • One of the least common types of hearing loss, in auditory neuropathy, the sounds enter the inner ear normally, but are not transported correctly by the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss often affects children born with compromised oxygen levels, or who have high bilirubin levels shortly after birth. Auditory neuropathy also happens when there is an infection with mumps or it may be congenital. Children with auditory neuropathy will benefit much more from a cochlear implant than from the use of hearing aids.

    Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy

    • A major complication of diabetes, clinical manifestations of diabetic autonomic neuropathy usually do not occur until several years after the onset of diabetes. Generally detectable in asymptomatic children, it is associated with extremely serious complications, such as cardiovascular dysfunction. Early treatment and stabilization is essential to prevent early appearance of diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

    Metabolic Neuropathy

    • Extremely rare in children, metabolic neuropathy occur mainly with inherited diseases and mitochondrial diseases. Metabolic neuropathy manifests as tingling, numbness and severe shooting nerve pain that is usually worse at night. Mothers of babies with this disease often report symptoms similar to restless leg syndrome in their infant. Metabolic neuropathy can cause damage to both large and small nerve fibers. Cardiovascular involvement can lead to sudden death.

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