Weakness is a common presentation of a wide variety of central and peripheral nervous system
disorders. Weakness can be due to an organic CNS lesion or due to pseudoparalysis secondary to pain.
Weakness due to brain lesion usually takes the distribution according to the site and extent of the lesion (e.g.
hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia). Weakness due to peripheral nervous system lesion can be
predominantly distal (neuropathic) or proximal (myopathic). The approach to a child presenting with acute
or chronic weakness is presented in this chapter.
Keywords: Muscle, Weakness, Hypotonia, Paralysis, Myasthenia, EMG, Myopathy, Neuropathy,
Dystrophy, Muscle biopsy, Physiotherapy.
