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Abstract
This article presents an analysis of the prevalence and nature of peripheral neuropathy in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) were conducted in accordance with standard protocols. Manifestations of electrophysiological disorders in the absence of clinical symptoms or signs were considered as subclinical neuropathy. Results: Almost 35 children were examined. The majority were men (n = 29, 85.7%). The average age was 8.9 ± 3 years (range from 2 to 14 years). The average estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at admission was 23.4 ± 13.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 (range 5-67). Most of the children were at stage III (n = 18, 42%), followed by stages V (n = 14, 33%) and IV (n = 10, 25%). There were no signs of clinical neuropathy; 8 children (29%) had subclinical neuropathy. All nerves had an axonal pattern of involvement. Motor polyneuropathy was the most common type of peripheral neuropathy. The study showed that the most common affected nerves were the tibial and common fibular nerves. Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical neuropathy is high in children with CKD stage III and higher. The predominant pattern is axonal motor polyneuropathy. Electrophysiological evaluation of nervous function should be performed regularly in children with advanced stages of CKD to prevent chronic complications.