Neurology is an important branch of medicine. The human nervous system is extremely complex and disorders can manifest themselves in many different ways. Since children are by no means small adults, there is the field of pediatric neurology, which deals exclusively with the child's nervous system and nervous disorders in children. The focus is on both the physical and mental development of babies, children and adolescents as well as possible disorders of the nervous system.
Article overview
Pediatric neurology - Further information
Pediatric neurologists are specialists in the child's nervous system
Paediatric neurologists, who are actually more correctly called neuropaediatricians, specialize in neurological diseases in children and adolescents. This type of training follows on from the five-year training course to become a specialist in pediatric and adolescent medicine and takes a further three years.
Further training to become a neuropaediatrician involves acquiring knowledge, experience and skills in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and diseases of the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system and musculature in children and adolescents.
An important part of neuropaediatrics is developmental neurology. Neurological developmental disorders can affect language, social interaction, memory or perception, for example. Learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dyscalculia, intellectual disabilities and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) fall into this area.
With the help of various diagnostic procedures, the pediatric neurologist can assess the child's physical and mental development and, if necessary, create a treatment plan to promote development.
Another relevant sub-area is movement disorders. These either originate in the motor nervous system or, in the case of cerebral movement disorders, can be traced back to congenital or acquired damage to the brain. Premature babies are particularly frequently affected by such cerebral movement disorders(cerebral palsy).
Pediatric neurologists also deal with seizure disorders. The pediatric neurologist assesses both acute seizures and chronic seizure disorders such as epilepsy.
Common diseases treated by a pediatric neurologist
As soon as there is a suspicion that the complaints are based on a neurological disorder, the treating doctor will refer the patient to a pediatric neurologist. Neuropaediatricians are experts in the following diseases and disorders, among others:
- Diseases and damage to the nervous system due to inflammation (for example facial nerve palsy/facial paralysis), injury (for example nerve severing, craniocerebral trauma) or poisoning (for example due to medication, heavy metals, solvents)
- Congenital malformations of the central nervous system (e.g. enlargement of the fluid spaces of the brain(hydrocephalus); Dandy-Walker cyst; open spine(spina bifida) or meningomyelocele; head shape abnormalities)
- Disorders of motor and sensory functions (e.g. hearing and visual disorders)
- Cerebral (brain-induced) seizures and epilepsies
- Neuromuscular diseases and muscle disorders (e.g. Friedreich's ataxia, multiple sclerosis, myelitis, muscle atrophy, myasthenia, muscular dystrophy)
- Circulatory disorders of the brain (e.g. stroke, thrombosis and vascular malformations)
- Neurometabolic (e.g. diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease), neurodegenerative and neurogenetic diseases
- Movement disorders and cerebral palsies (paralysis)
- Mental, motor, speech and psychological developmental disorders and disabilities (e.g. autism spectrum disorders)
- Tumors of the nervous system (e.g. medulloblastoma, glioblastoma)
- Headaches, neuropathic pain ("nerve pain") and dizziness
Diagnostic methods in pediatric neurology
After interviewing the patient(anamnesis), observing behavior and performing a physical examination (including reflexes, motor skills and sensitivity), the pediatric neurologist can use various methods to make a diagnosis and also to monitor the progress of previously diagnosed nerve diseases.
Laboratory tests of blood and cerebrospinal fluid ("nerve fluid") can provide indications of pathological changes.
An important neurological diagnostic procedure is the electroencephalogram (EEG). In this examination method, the electrical activity of the brain is measured using special probes that are attached to the head. The EEG is used in the diagnosis of epilepsy, for example.
Electroneurography can be used to examine peripheral nerves, for example with regard to nerve conduction velocity, and electromyography is used to measure electrical muscle activity in muscle diseases and other diseases of the nervous system.
Ultrasound examinations of the muscles, brain and peripheral nerves can also provide information on a possible cause of the symptoms. Other imaging procedures, which are carried out in collaboration with a radiologist, include X-ray examinations, computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ).
Depending on the suspected diagnosis or disease, other diagnostic methods may also be used, such as
- ophthalmologic,
- ENT,
- histology (fine tissue analysis),
- endocrinological (hormone determinations etc.),
- molecular genetics,
- orthopaedic or
- psychological
procedures.
Treatment methods in neuropaediatrics
As varied as the diseases in neuropaediatrics are, so too are the therapeutic options. The therapy depends primarily on the cause of the symptoms.
As diseases of the nervous system often have a very complex clinical picture, many of these diseases are treated on an interdisciplinary basis. For example, pediatric endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedists or behavioral therapists may be involved in the child's treatment. In each case, the pediatric neurologist, possibly in consultation with colleagues from other medical specialties, creates a treatment plan that is individually tailored to the young patient.
In the case of a developmental disorder, for example, the doctor can make use of various support options. They can prescribe language support or refer the patient for physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Movement disorders also generally require interdisciplinary care from neuropaediatricians, occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists.
Children who suffer from seizures are usually given medication. Depending on the severity, surgery may be necessary.
Medical spectrum
Diseases
Diagnostics
References
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