Peripheral neuropathies across the lifespan: Comparative insights from pediatric and adult populations

Peripheral neuropathies constitute a diverse group of disorders impacting the peripheral nervous system, leading to motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. These conditions stem from a variety of etiologies, including genetic mutations, metabolic disorders, infections, autoimmune diseases, and toxic exposures, with presentations and progression varying significantly between pediatric and adult populations. In children, hereditary peripheral neuropathies such as Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease are the most common, presenting with delayed motor milestones, muscle weakness, and foot deformities. Acute acquired neuropathies, including Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS), are rarer but often associated with life-threatening complications. Conversely, adults frequently experience peripheral neuropathies due to acquired conditions such as diabetes mellitus, often presenting with chronic, progressive symptoms such as distal sensory loss and weakness at later stages. Specific conditions, including entrapment neuropathies (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathies, and peroneal neuropathies), acquired conditions (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy), hereditary neuropathies (e.g., CMT diseases), and idiopathic form are explored in detail. Understanding age-specific variations in presentation and progression is critical for timely diagnosis and tailored therapeutic interventions. This review emphasizes key differences and similarities in the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and management of peripheral neuropathies in pediatric and adult populations. A better understanding of age-specific patterns can enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide more appropriate clinical decision-making across the lifespan.