Peripheral Neuropathy in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease: Are We Looking Enough?

Background:

Peripheral neuropathy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common neurological complication. We aimed to look at the prevalence and patterns of neuropathy in children with CKD.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted over 1 year in children with CKD, stage III and above. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were performed as per standard protocols using surface electrodes on the muscles and by supramaximal stimulation of the corresponding nerves. Presence of electrophysiological abnormalities in the absence of clinical symptoms or signs was considered as subclinical neuropathy.

Results:

Nearly 45 children were evaluated. The majority were males (n = 39, 86.7%). The mean age was 7.9 ± 3 years (range 2–14). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at enrolment was 23.3 ± 14.6 mL/min/1.73 m² (range 5–67). The majority of children were in stage III (n = 19, 42%), followed by stages V (n = 15, 33%) and IV (n = 11, 25%). There was no evidence of clinical neuropathy; 13 children (29%) showed subclinical neuropathy. All the nerves had an axonal pattern of involvement. Motor polyneuropathy was most common type of peripheral neuropathy. The commonest nerves involved were tibial and common peroneal nerves. There were no biochemical or clinical predictors of neuropathy in our cohort.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of subclinical neuropathy is high in children with CKD, stage III and above. Axonal motor polyneuropathy is the predominant pattern. Electrophysiological assessment of nerve function should be routinely done in children with advanced stages of CKD to prevent chronic complications.

A Rare Case of Vincristine-Induced Neuropathy Presenting as Foot Drop in the Postoperative Period

Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy are at risk of neuropathy development. Many of them may have subclinical neuropathies, which may be missed before planning anesthesia, especially in emergency scenarios. This case report highlights the importance of a thorough neurologic examination in patients with subclinical neuropathy to avoid any complications and medicolegal issues. A patient with a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma being treated with vincristine-based chemotherapy was scheduled for an emergency laparotomy. There was no history of any neurologic deficit before surgery. The surgery was done using general anesthesia, and intrathecal morphine was given for postoperative analgesia. This patient experienced bilateral foot drop postoperatively. A bilateral lower limb and upper limb sensory-motor neuropathy was detected on a nerve conduction study, probably due to vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. The literature is deficient regarding manifestations of neurologic complications in previously asymptomatic patients in the immediate postoperative period. These patients pose a diagnostic dilemma perioperatively that may lead to medicolegal challenges to the anesthesia provider. Anesthesia providers should be wary of the possibility of exacerbation of any subclinical neuropathy in patients with cancer receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy and should probably avoid any neuraxial intervention in such patients if possible.