A rare cause of back pain in children: Notalgia paresthetica

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a rare sensory neuropathy and is not a well-known condition. As a result, the diagnosis is often overlooked, and back pain may be the initial presenting symptom. Back pain is a common locomotor system complaint in children. Here, we present a 15-year-old female patient who experienced back pain, itching, and tingling for the past 4 months and was diagnosed with NP. Recognition of NP as a rare cause of back pain in children is important for initiating targeted therapy. Considering NP in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with back pain allows early diagnosis and treatment and helps prevent pain from becoming chronic.

Keywords: Back pain, children, neuropathy, notalgia paresthetica.