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Aim: To investigate the maturation of the peripheral nervous system by analyzing the cross-sectional area of the sciatic nerve during the first 2 years of life., Methods: The sciatic nerve was examined by high-resolution ultrasound imaging in 52 children aged 0 days to 10 years, 45 of whom were younger than 2 years. The correlation between the cross-sectional area of the nerve and the age was statistically tested. A logarithmic regression analysis was performed to develop a logarithmic growth model of the cross-sectional area., Results: There is a highly significant correlation between the age and the cross-sectional area of the sciatic nerve. The growth rate can well be described by a logarithmic model., Interpretation: Based on the literature on the maturation of the median nerve and nerve roots and the findings of the present study, we conclude that both the proximal and the distal parts of the nerves of the peripheral nervous system increase simultaneously., What This Paper Adds: Normative values for the size of the sciatic nerve in children., (© 2023 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aim: To analyze the increase in diameter of the nerve roots C5 and C6 in early childhood., Methods: The nerve roots of 56 children aged 0 days to 10 years (47 younger than 2 years) were examined by high-resolution ultrasound imaging. The correlation of diameter and age was statistically tested and a logarithmic regression analysis was performed to develop a logarithmic growth model., Results: The increase in nerve root diameter is greatest during the first 2 years of life and then the growth rate decreases steadily. The relationship between age and diameter follows a logarithmic curve (p < 10 -8 )., Interpretation: The main increase in the diameter of the nerve roots happens in the first 2 years of life. Comparing data from a previous study, our data also suggest that the maturation of the proximal part of the median nerve is comparable to the maturation of its distal segments. This suggests a synchronous maturation of the axons and myelin sheath for the whole extent of the nerve, from the radix to its very distal part., What This Paper Adds: Normative values for the size of the cervical nerve roots C5 and C6; an insight into the maturation of the proximal parts of the peripheral nervous system; and the correlation between age and cervical root diameter., (© 2022 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)