Electromyography in pediatric neuromuscular disorders

Abstract

A review of clinical electromyography is presented for the practicing pediatrician outlining the indications and limitations of this laboratory procedure. The electrical signals recorded from electrodes inserted in skeletal muscle have a characteristic pattern consisting of fibrillation and sharp wave potentials in diseases involving the lower motor neuron. As opposed to these neurogenic disorders myogenic diseases also may result in characteristic electrical alterations. The EMG findings in the more common pediatric neurologic disorders are reviewed. Recently facilities and equipment for the performance of peripheral nerve conduction studies have become more available to the pediatrician. Conduction rates are frequently prolonged in infectious and metabolic neuropathies.