Paediatric Neurology
Pediatric neurology refers to a specialized branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions in neonates (newborns), infants, children, and adolescents.
The discipline of child neurology encompasses diseases and disorders of the spinal cord, brain, peripheral nervous system (PNS), autonomic nervous system (ANS), muscles, and blood vessels that affect individuals in these age groups.
If a child has problems that involve the nervous system, a pediatric neurologist has the specialized training and knowledge to assess, diagnose, and treat the child. The conditions dealt with by pediatric neurologists vary considerably, from relatively simple disorders such as migraines or cerebral palsy to more complex and rare conditions such as metabolic diseases or neurodegenerative disorders.
Some examples of the types of conditions that can be encountered by specialists in this field include:
Genetic diseases of the nervous system
Congenital metabolic abnormalities that affect the nervous system
Congenital birth defects affecting the brain and spinal cord, such as spina bifida
Neurological developmental problems during childhood
Childhood epilepsy
Febrile seizures
Movement disorders
Progressive neuromuscular conditions such as muscular dystrophy
Abnormal mental development, speech disabilities, and learning disabilities
Autism spectrum disorders
Behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Headaches and migraine
Hydrocephalus or excess fluid build-up in the brain
Head injuries and their complications
Brain tumors
Neuromuscular medicine
Sleep disorders
Vascular neurology
Intellectual disabilities
Pediatric neurologists act as consultants to primary care physicians, who may refer children to the neurologists for specialist care. For children with long-term neurological ailments, the pediatric neurologist provides regular care and consultation