Idiopathic neuralgic amyotrophy in children. A distinct phenotype comparedto the adult form

Two cases of neuralgic amyotrophy (idiopathic brachial plexus neuropathy) i n children are presented and combined with a review of the literature. Diff iculties in establishing the diagnosis are illustrated, and we give an over view of the phenotype of childhood neuralgic amyotrophy and its distinction s from the adult type. Pain, in adult cases present in over 95% of the case s, is less frequent in children, and its absence by no means excludes the d iagnosis. In children under 8 weeks of age, the literature shows that a sub sequent osteomyelitis of the shoulder or arm always seems to be involved, w hich warrants a close follow-up. Overall, recovery is less favourable in ch ildren, but when they fully recover they seem to do so in a shorter period of time than adults. We conclude that neuralgic amyotrophy in children is d istinct from the adult variety, and that it has a definite place in the dif ferential diagnosis of a sudden limp arm, even if it is painless.