Chapter 43 – Neuromuscular Problems of the Critically Ill Neonate and Child

Acute neuromuscular disorders occasionally confront the pediatric intensivist or the pediatric neurologist. Many of these are primary disorders of the motor unit that present acutely and may require urgent admission to a neurologic critical care unit. Additionally, acute neuromuscular disorders can develop in a child with an acute systemic illness requiring intensive care management and, therefore, concomitantly predisposing the child to another set of acute motor unit disorders. This chapter discusses acute neuromuscular crises in the infant, toddler, and adolescent, as well as neuromuscular disorders resulting from critical illness.