• Giulia Mesaroli, Kristen M Davidge, Aileen M Davis, Anthony V Perruccio, Samantha Choy, Suellen M Walker, and Jennifer N Stinson.
• Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto.
• Clin J Pain. 2024 Jul 1; 40 (7): 428439428-439.

BackgroundAge and sex differences may exist in the frequency (incidence, prevalence) or symptoms of neuropathic pain (NP) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) due to biopsychosocial factors (eg, neurodevelopment, physiological and hormonal changes, psychosocial differences) that evolve through childhood and adolescence. Age and sex differences may have implications for evaluating screening and diagnostic tools and treatment interventions.ObjectiveTo map the existing literature on pediatric NP and CRPS with respect to age and sex distributions, and age and sex differences in symptomology and frequency.MethodsA scoping literature review was conducted. Databases were searched from inception to January 2023. Data were collected on study design, setting, demographics, and age and sex differences in frequency and symptoms.ResultsEighty-seven studies were included. Distribution of participants with CRPS (n=37 studies) was predominantly early adolescence (10 to 14 y) and female sex, while NP (n=42 studies) was most commonly reported throughout adolescence (10 to 19 y) in both sexes. Forty-one studies examined age and sex differences in frequency; 6 studies reported higher frequency in adolescence. Very few studies (n=11) examined differences in symptomology.DiscussionLarge epidemiological studies are required to further understand age and sex differences in frequency of pediatric NP and CRPS. Age and sex differences must be considered when evaluating screening and diagnostic tools and treatment interventions to ensure relevance and validity to both sexes and across ages. Validated tools will improve understanding of age-dependent and sex-dependent differences in symptoms, pathophysiology, and psychosocial impact of pediatric NP and CRPS.Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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