Reported are five children with subacute demyelinating polyneuropathy.All patients had a monophasic disease, progressing over 4 to 8 weeks and characterized by predominantly motor features, areflexia, minimal or no cranial nerve abnormali ties, no autonomic or respiratory involvement, elevated CSF protein, electrophys iologic evidence of demyelination, and good response to corticosteroids. A benig n course with full recovery was the rule. Reported are five children with subacute demyelinating polyneuropathy. All patients had a monophasic disease, progressing over 4 to 8 weeks and characterized by predominantly motor features, areflexia, minimal or no cranial nerve abnormali ties, no autonomic or respiratory involvement, elevated CSF protein, electrophys iological evidence of demyelination, and good response to corticosteroids. A benig n course with full recovery was the rule.