Meralgia paresthetica in the pediatric population: a propos of 2 cases.

Meralgia paresthetica is a mononeuropathy affecting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve that is extremely rare in children. Two adolescent females, aged 11 and 13 years, presented due to tingling and pain on the side of the thigh of 2 to 3 weeks duration. The general examination revealed mild obesity; the neurological examination of both patients is normal except for pain, hypo- or hyperesthesia on the side of the quadriceps. An electromyogram was performed in the first case that reveals decreased conduction velocity of the affected lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The younger child was treated successfully with diet and topiramate; the second patient's symptoms disappeared after initiating conservative measures. Meralgia paresthetica is probably underdiagnosed in the pediatric population. First-line treatment should be conservative, but topiramate may be useful for the treatment of meralgia paresthetica, although broader studies are needed to evaluate its true effectiveness in this pathological condition.