Evolution and treatment of childhood chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy.

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a rare disease in pediatric patients. The disease usually responds well to standard therapies including immunoglobulins, corticosteroids, and plasmapheresis. However, a minority of cases appear refractory to standard treatments. This report presents the evolution of 13 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy monitored in our pediatric neurology clinic between 1975 and 2005, including two recent patients with refractory diseases. The literature regarding treatment of refractory cases in adults and children is also reviewed.