facial or limb weakness in children - NICE guidance - suspected neurological conditions - recognition and referral

Last edited 03/2020 and last reviewed 04/2022

Limb or facial weakness in children

Summary points from NICE guidance relating limb or facial weakness in children are:

Sudden-onset or progressive limb or facial weakness

  • refer immediately children with sudden-onset or rapidly progressive (hours to days) limb or facial weakness for neurological assessment

  • refer urgently children with progressive limb weakness for neurological assessment.

Limb weakness as part of a developmental disorder

  • refer children with limb weakness that is part of a developmental disorder to paediatric services

Boys with limb weakness

For boys with limb weakness

  • consider measuring creatinine kinase level to exclude Duchenne muscular dystrophy before the boy has had a specialist review

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