Child neurology: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy in children.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by patchy demyelination of nerve roots and distal nerves. The course may be monophasic progressive or relapsing-remitting. CIDP is less common in children than in adults. As in adults, children with CIDP present with proximal and distal weakness and loss of deep tendon reflexes. Children are most often brought to medical attention due to gait disturbance and falling. As in adults, immunomodulatory treatment is the mainstay of therapy. Based on the small number of case series available, children with CIDP seem have a more favorable long-term course than adults.