Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Children from a Pediatric Neuromuscular Center

Objective: Aim of the study was to review the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in our pediatric population. Background: Median neuropathy at or distal to the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, typically presenting between 40 and 60 years of age. Design/Methods: We reviewed hospital records from January 2003 to December 2017 to identify patients Results: We included 32 patients (2–17 years old), who underwent EDx studies and were found to have median neuropathy at or distal to the wrist. Reasons for referral included hand pain, paresthesias, weakness, atrophy, and muscle twitching. The final diagnosis included idiopathic (10 patients), mucopolysaccharidosis (9), trauma (7), congenital hypertrophy or hypoplasia of the hand (4), and rheumatologic disorder (1). The mean age of patients varied based on the etiology: idiopathic (14 years), mucopolysaccharidosis (6 years), and trauma (11 years). Conclusions: Carpal tunnel syndrome presenting in childhood could be due to different etiologies, which was distinct from adult onset CTS. In patients presenting at younger ages, mucopolysaccharidosis should be considered as an underlying etiology. Older children are more likely to present as idiopathic cases or following trauma. Disclosure: Dr. Irumudomon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ghosh has nothing to disclose.