Focal neuropathy in children with critical illness.

[focal myositis]

Four children are described who developed focal lower limb nerve palsies following critical illness . Two had clinical and /or neurophysiological evidence of simultaneous generalised critical illness polyneuropathy . The diagnosis was delayed in three patients due to the presence of central motor abnormalities and slow motor recovery . Follow-up from seven months to three years showed minimal or no recovery . In three , a vasculitic skin infarct , compartment syndrome and focal myositis could have caused nerve compression . We suggest that in critical illness peripheral nerves have an increased susceptibility to damage by local pressure .