Normal Values of Nerve Conduction Studies in Children Aged 7 Days to 14 Years Referred to Electrodiagnosis Clinic of Iranian Children's Medical Center

Abstract

Background: The normal values of nerve conduction studies (NCS) are different in children compared to adults. Moreover, racial and geographical factors can affect these values. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the normal NCS values in children of different ages. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included children referred to the Electrodiagnosis Clinic of the Children's Medical Center in Iran, who had normal NCS results based on the references and had no exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into 8 age groups (7 days to one month, 1 - 3 months, 3 - 6 months, 6 - 12 months, 1 - 2 years, 2 - 4 years, 4 - 6 years, and 6 - 14 years), and the NCS was performed using a Nihon Kohden electromyogram. The NCS values in the normal range were included in the analysis. Results: The normal ranges of amplitude and conduction velocity of 4 motor nerves (median, ulnar, deep peroneal, and tibial) and 2 sensory nerves (median and medial plantar), as well as the F-wave latency values of 2 nerves (ulnar and tibial), were established as the reference values for the pediatric patients. Conclusions: The NCS parameters of Iranian children were slightly different from the normal references reported by studies in other countries. Moreover, the SNAP and CMAP amplitudes and motor conduction velocity of these children usually reached the normal values of the adult population earlier.