Normal Conduction Velocity of Ulnar, Median and Peroneal Nerves in Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence

Summary The conduction velocity of the ulnar, median and peroneal nerves was studied from birth to adult age in normal infants, children and adolescents. The method allowed measurements of the conduction velocity of the thickest and fastest conducting motor nerve fibres. In newborns the conduction velocity of all 3 nerves was roughly half of that of adults. The value for the ulnar nerve increased rapidly during the first 3 years. After that age it rose only slightly and between adolescence and adult age there was a significant reduction. The value for the median nerve increased slowly before one year of age. At this time a rapid acceleration started and continued through adolescence. The value for the peroneal nerve increased rapidly through infancy, while small changes were noted after one year of age. The curve for the ulnar nerve was in all age‐groups above the other 2. The curve for the median nerve started at the same level as that for the peroneal, ran below it through infancy and early childhood, crossed it in the age‐group 3–8 years and approached that of the ulnar nerve in adolescence and adult age. These results are discussed in relation to the anatomical maturation of the peripheral nervous system and to the motor performance of the child. An H reflex of the ulnar nerve, suggesting immaturity of the pyramidal tract, was present in some of the infants below 7 months of age.