Pediatric Neurology Research (ACNRC)

Pediatric neurological conditions

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 such as cerebral palsy
• 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
• Hospice and palliative medicine
• Neuromuscular medicine
• Sleep disorders
• Vascular neurology
• Intellectual disabilities