Acute motor neuropathy with pure distal involvement – A case report of multifocal motor neuropathy

Multifocal Motor Neuropathy is an acquired pure motor neuropathy seen principally in adults and usually responds to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. We report a 12 year old boy with marked distal weakness in both upper and lower limbs with no proximal involvement. These clinical features appear to be distinct from more common inflammatory childhood neuropathies and are in keeping with a diagnosis of Multifocal Motor Neuropathy. Confirming the diagnosis, serial nerve conduction studies showed a pattern of pure motor conduction block with normal sensory potentials. To our knowledge this is only the second case report of this condition occurring in childhood.

► Multifocal motor neuropathy, though rare, does occur in children. ► Consider this in acute pure motor neuropathy with predominant distal involvement. ► Treatment with corticosteroids may also be considered.