Pediatric Neurology
Overview
The central nervous system (CNS) – brain and spinal cord – is a workhorse. It allows you to stay balanced in your chair, move your eyes across this sentence and understand the words you’re reading. It can also tell you that you’re chilly and need a sweater, alert you to the smell of something burning or help you catch a glass before it falls to the floor.
That’s why your child’s doctor is careful to see if the CNS may be involved if your child is having symptoms like headaches or changes in her behavior, cognition or motor skills, or if she’s having changes in how she sees, hears, tastes, smells or responds to tactile sensations.In any of these cases—or any time her doctor thinks the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles may be affected—we may recommend a neurological exam.
Symptoms
If your child’s nervous system isn’t working properly, it can cause delays in her normal development and functioning. Early detection means that we have a better chance of identifying the cause, quickly treating her and decrease the chance that she’ll have long-term complications.
Your child’s doctor may request a neurological exam if your child:
- complains of symptoms including:
- headaches
- blurry vision
- fatigue
- fever of unknown cause
- change in balance or coordination
- numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- decrease in movement of the arms or legs
- tremor
- has had an injury to her head, neck or back
- is experiencing a change in behavior, or in balance or coordination
- has any type of birth defect to her head or spine
- is currently being treated for a disease or condition
Neurological exams may also be performed during a routine physical exam, either right after birth, or later in childhood or adolescence, in order to investigate possible problems or rule something out.
Treatments
Neurological exams may also be performed during a routine physical exam, either right after birth, or later in childhood or adolescence, in order to investigate possible problems or rule something out.
