Establishing Normal Values for F-Wave Latencies in Diagnosing Peripheral Neuropathies for the Pediatric Population

Abstract

Purpose: We present a unique technique applying F-wave latencies to assist in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy within the pediatric age group. Methods: We calculated an F-wave estimated deviance adjusted for limb length measurements, distal motor conduction velocity, and distal motor latencies. We compared the F-wave estimated deviance from the normal subjects with those with peripheral neuropathy (both axonal and demyelinating) to establish diagnostic accuracy in pediatric patients. Results: The normal range for the F-wave estimated deviance in the upper limb was −1 to +6 ms and in the lower limb was −8 to +5 ms. When compared with 82 subjects with peripheral neuropathy, there was a significant difference between the normal subjects and those with neuropathy (P values between 0.002 and 0.0005 for each of the individual nerves tested). Conclusions: The F-wave estimated deviance is independent of age and can be accurately applied to the electrodiagnostic testing of pediatric patients with suspected neuropathy.

Utility and practice of electrodiagnostic testing in the pediatric population: An AANEM consensus statement

“…Eight articles pertaining to normal pediatric F response latencies were found from the past 35 years (Table ). Five of the studies also provided data pertaining to sensory and motor nerve conductions studies as noted above, whereas three studies focused specifically on F‐wave data for children <18 years old . Six studies provided infant data, of which five reported a progressive decrease in minimum F‐response latency from the neonatal period (< 28 days), early infancy (1‐6 months), older infancy (7‐12 months), to the toddler years (1‐3 years) .…”