Pediatric Neurology

Expert Neurological Care for Children

Children with neurological conditions have unique medical, developmental and emotional needs. Pediatric neurology focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that affect a child's brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.

At Deaconess, our goal is to help children receive the specialized neurological care they need while supporting the entire family. We work with families to understand their child's symptoms, develop an appropriate treatment plan and coordinate care with other pediatric specialists when needed.

Whether your child is experiencing seizures, frequent headaches, developmental regression, muscle weakness, a congenital condition or another neurological concern, our team is here to help.

Conditions Treated

Our pediatric neurology team may evaluate and treat a variety of neurological conditions, including:

Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

Epilepsy and other seizure disorders can cause unusual movements, staring spells, changes in awareness or loss of consciousness. Our specialists can evaluate seizure symptoms and help determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Headaches and Migraines

Headaches are common in children and teenagers, but frequent, severe or persistent headaches may require specialized evaluation. Pediatric neurology can help identify potential causes and develop strategies to manage migraines and other recurring headaches.

Developmental Regression

Developmental regression occurs when a child loses skills they previously acquired. This may include loss of language, motor skills, coordination, social skills or other abilities.

Regression can have a number of possible causes and should be evaluated promptly. A pediatric neurologist can assess your child's symptoms, medical history and development to help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate testing, treatment and follow-up care.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy affects movement, muscle coordination and posture. Neurological care may be part of a child's long-term treatment plan and can be coordinated with physical, occupational and other therapies.

Pediatric Stroke

A stroke can occur in children before birth, during infancy or later in childhood. Pediatric stroke may cause sudden weakness, changes in movement, seizures, speech or language difficulties, vision changes or other neurological symptoms.

Early recognition and evaluation are important. Pediatric neurology can help assess children who have experienced a stroke and provide ongoing neurological care and monitoring.

Congenital Malformations

Congenital malformations of the brain, spinal cord or nervous system develop before birth and can affect a child's neurological function. These conditions may be identified before birth, at birth or later during childhood.

Pediatric neurology can help evaluate neurological symptoms associated with congenital malformations and coordinate care with other specialists when appropriate.

Movement Disorders

Children may develop involuntary movements, tremors, tics or other changes in movement. Pediatric neurological evaluation can help determine the cause of these symptoms and identify appropriate treatment options.

Neuromuscular Disorders

Neuromuscular conditions can affect the nerves, muscles or communication between them. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, difficulty walking, fatigue or problems with coordination.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle function. Children with these conditions may benefit from coordinated neurological and rehabilitative care.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Children may experience weakness, numbness, tingling, pain or changes in sensation.

Genetic and Metabolic Neurological Conditions

Some neurological conditions are associated with inherited genetic or metabolic disorders. Evaluation may help determine whether additional testing or specialty care is appropriate.

Concussions and Neurological Symptoms After Injury

A concussion or other head injury can cause headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, changes in balance and other neurological symptoms. Children with persistent or concerning symptoms may require specialized evaluation.

Sleep-Related Neurological Concerns

Some neurological conditions can affect a child's sleep, while sleep problems can also contribute to daytime symptoms. Neurological evaluation may help determine whether further testing or specialty care is needed.

When Should My Child See a Pediatric Neurologist?

Your child's pediatrician may recommend a neurological evaluation if your child has:

Family-Centered Pediatric Care

We understand that caring for a child with a neurological condition can be challenging for the entire family. Neurological symptoms can affect a child's physical abilities, development, school experience and everyday life.

Our approach is centered on understanding each child's individual needs and helping families navigate the evaluation and treatment process. We partner with parents and caregivers to explain diagnoses, discuss treatment options and coordinate care when additional specialists or services are needed.

Coordinated Care for Your Child

Neurological conditions can affect many aspects of a child's health and development. Depending on your child's needs, neurological care may involve collaboration with pediatricians, rehabilitation specialists, therapists and other medical specialists.

Our goal is to provide a coordinated plan for evaluation, treatment and ongoing care while keeping families informed and involved throughout the process.

Supporting Your Child's Neurological Health

A child's neurological symptoms can sometimes be difficult to recognize or explain. Changes in behavior, movement, communication, coordination or previously acquired skills may be important signs that further evaluation is needed.

If you have concerns about your child's neurological health, talk with your child's pediatrician about whether a pediatric neurology evaluation is appropriate.

Contact Us

If your child is experiencing symptoms that may be related to a neurological condition, our team can help determine the next steps for evaluation and care.

Need help finding the right specialist?

Contact Deaconess to learn more about pediatric neurological care and available services.