Neuromuscular disorders of childhood.
Neuromuscular disorders are common causes of weakness and hypotonia in the infantile period and in childhood. Accurate diagnosis of specific neuromuscular disorders depends first on identification of which aspect of the peripheral neuromuscular system is affected--the motor neuron in the spinal cord, the nerve root or peripheral nerve, the neuromuscular junction, or the muscle--and then on the determination of the etiology and specific clinical entity. This review provides an overview of the major neuromuscular disorders of childhood with attention to recent advances and emerging areas of research.
Andersson
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Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5235, USA.
Rando
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TA
D002607:Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009136:Muscular Dystrophies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014897:Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood / Q000175:diagnosis