Evidence-Based Assessment of Pediatric Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

This combination of diabetes and obesity in adulthood can lead to devastating foot complications including lower extremity amputations. Another one of the essential precursors on the path to limb loss is diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Although neurological screening for DPN is routine in adults, pediatric patients often are not assessed for this complication. Despite the fact that up to 25% of pediatric diabetic patients have neuropathy, the majority are subclinical possibly explaining this oversight [6]. Furthermore, widely accepted guidelines for neurological screening in this patient population have not been established. Although several studies have evaluated the efficacy of screening tools currently in use, consensus has not been reached on a standardized approach [7]. A summary of relevant research on this topic is found in Table 1.