Peripheral neuropathy in diabetic children and adolescents. A cross-sectional study.

In order to establish the general prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic children and adolescents, median motor and sensory conduction velocities and the peroneal motor conduction velocity were registered in 161 unselected diabetic children and adolescents and 55 healthy controls. The influence of the duration and the balance of diabetes on the results was analysed in the diabetic group. In the controls the age correlated positively with the median motor and sensory conduction velocity, but not with peroneal motor conduction velocity. In diabetic children, the greatest impairment was found in the peroneal motor conduction velocity, 49 patients (30%) had a value lower than -2SD below the mean normal value. There was a correlation between the balance of diabetes based on HbA1 and glucosuria, and median and peroneal motor conduction velocities. The median motor conduction velocity was independent of the duration of diabetes, but a correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and peroneal motor conduction velocity impairment. Motor conduction velocity determination of the peroneal nerve can be used both in revealing and following the abnormality in peripheral nervous function in diabetic children. Regular follow-up of nervous function test results may help in assessing the importance of good metabolic control in preventing diabetic complications.