LYME-DISEASE IN CHILDREN

Neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease are common in children, amon g whom the incidence of Lyme disease is higher than among adults. Cran ioneuropathies, in particular palsy of the facial nerve, occur in appr oximately 3-5% of children with Lyme disease, followed in frequency by meningitis (1% of symptomatic children). Children with only non-speci fic symptoms such as headache, arthralgia or fatigue commonly are misd iagnosed as having Lyme disease. Although such non-specific symptoms o ften accompany more specific signs and symptoms (e.g., erythema migran s, arthritis) in children with Lyme disease, very rarely are non-speci fic symptoms the sole manifestation of Lyme disease. A number of caref ully conducted follow-up studies have indicated that the prognosis is excellent for children with Lyme disease who have been treated with st andard antimicrobial regimens.