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Clinical Services for Pediatric Neurological Disorders
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Autism
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability. Research suggests that autism develops from a combination of genetic and nongenetic, or environmental, influences. Some of the symptoms are noticed during early childhood and persist throughout life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.
Each patient has an individual path to reach their highest potential. At Children’s Brain Institute, we provide a modern approach to autism diagnosis and treatment. Since each child is unique, we create custom treatment programs for patients with autism. Our approach depends on an in-depth understanding of the child’s neurobiology and developmental profile. Visit us and see what we believe in and how we demonstrate it.
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Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures. Epilepsy is defined as having two or more unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the people with the condition. Children with epilepsy differ from adults because their brains are more prone to seizures. Schedule a consultation today.
After comprehensive diagnostics, our specialists prepare a treatment schedule according to each patient’s needs and abilities. Most forms of childhood epilepsy are outgrown or controlled with proper diagnosis and medication. We use our 25+ years of experience to design a unique treatment option for our epilepsy patients.
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Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affects a person’s ability to maintain balance, steady movement, and posture. There are five major types of cerebral palsy: spastic, ataxic, athetoid, hypotonic, and mixed type. CP, is a rare congenital disorder, often due to abnormal brain development before birth. Early childhood symptoms include rigid limbs, exaggerated reflexes, and involuntary motions.
Cranial ultrasound, MRI, and Electroencephalogram (EEG) are technologies used to aid us in revealing areas of abnormal development or brain damage. After a thorough exam and a series of tests to diagnose and rule out other possible causes for symptoms, a unique long-term treatment option is proposed. An action care plan will likely include physical and other therapies, drugs, and sometimes surgery. Allow our 25 years of experience to help your family.
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Migraines
Migraine patients often complain of a throbbing headache, sensitivity to light, lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. There are several types of migraines; the same type may go by different names. Migraines come in phases; there is the premonition phase, aura phase, headache phase, and headache resolution phase.
As with many brain disorders, the scientific community isn’t sure what causes a migraine headache. An imbalance in brain chemicals and changes in nerve pathways are often cited as possible causes of chronic migraines. There may also be a genetic link to migraines. About 12% of Americans have this disorder.
When it comes to migraine treatment, over-the-counter drugs can be useful for minor symptoms. Doctor-prescribed medicines are used for more robust symptoms. But migraine treatment has a broad scope. It sometimes includes what is known as complementary or integrative treatments. These additional supplements or strategies can be used in addition to a person’s usual migraine treatment. To learn more about treatment options for migraines, contact us.
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Treatments
Epileptic Encephalopathies
Epileptic encephalopathies refer to a group of disorders in which the incessant epileptic activity contributes to severe cognitive and behavioral impairments. “Encephalopathy” means damage or disease that affects the brain. Epileptic encephalopathy is a rare category of severe epilepsy syndromes that starts in infancy or early childhood and develops over time.
The most common causes of epileptic encephalopathy in infancy are structural abnormalities, either congenital or acquired. Epileptic encephalopathy is diagnosed with an electroencephalogram (EEG), which is a test that monitors the electrical activity of the brain. Treatment depends on what’s causing encephalopathy. Once the cause is determined, a personalized precision treatment protocol is initiated.
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Treatments
Ohtahara Syndrome
Ohtahara syndrome is an uncommon type of epilepsy disorder that affects infants, usually within the first three months of life. Ohtahara syndrome is characterized by hard-to-control seizures and developmental delays.
Ohtahara syndrome is caused by abnormal brain structure due to damage or abnormal development. The syndrome can also be due to metabolic disorders or genetic epilepsy syndromes, although the cause or causes for many cases can’t be determined.
Several treatment options are used to manage Ohtahara syndrome, but there is no cure. Treatments reduce the severity and frequency of the seizures but are ineffective in managing developmental problems. Those who survive age three are often left with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. We have 25+ years of experience to offer you and your child.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD is a mental health condition affecting about 1% of the population. OCD often starts in teens or early adulthood. The exact cause of OCD isn’t known. Brain abnormalities, genetics, and the environment are likely to play a role.
OCD affects people in a wide variety of ways. Some forms of OCD, obsessions, and compulsions are similar in that a trigger causes recurring thoughts, which can cause anxiety and distress and lead to compulsive behavior. Symptoms usually begin gradually and vary throughout life. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms generally wax and wane over time. Obsessive-compulsive disorder traits never completely go away. OCD requires ongoing management.
Treating different OCD types is quite complex. Psychotherapy and medications are used to treat OCD. Treatment is often most effective with a combination of the two. Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatments may not result in a cure, but they can help improve one’s quality of life by bringing symptoms under control. Our clinicians work with each family to develop a fear hierarchy therapeutic protocol.
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Treatments
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a condition of the nervous system. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that most often affects children and adolescents. There are estimates that 1 out of 190 children between the ages of 5-17 in the United States has TS or another Tic Disorder. TS is one of a group of disorders associated with a developing nervous system. Tics are sudden movements, twitches, or sounds done repeatedly. Tics often decrease during adolescence and sometimes disappear entirely. Some tic disorders will persist into adolescence and adulthood.
For most children with TS, medications will not eliminate tics. Medications can help some with TS manage their lives better. There is no particular medication that is best for all. Our clinical team will design an individualized treatment plan for your child after an exhaustive examination and review of your child’s and family’s medical history. Put our over 25 years of experience to work for your child.
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“Tourette Syndrome”
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Poststreptococcal Disorders
Poststreptococcal disorder is a group of autoimmune disorders that occur after an infection with Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A Streptococcus or Strep. A diagnosis of post-streptococcal disorder is a clinical diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis means no specific lab tests are available to diagnose the conditions. Following infection by Strep, several inflammatory syndromes can occur in the body.
- Tonsils may be swollen and have white spots on them
- Impetigo – a skin infection
- Reactive arthritis – joint pain that typically does not respond to aspirin
- Toxic shock syndrome – a potentially fatal condition caused by the release of toxins
- Glomerulonephritis – inflammation, and damage to the filtering part of the kidneys
- Rheumatic fever – causes painful inflammation, especially of the heart, blood vessels, and joints
- Scarlet fever – an illness that follows strep throat. It causes a red rash on the body.
- Cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease)
There is no specific treatment for post-streptococcal disorders. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms. Our clinical team will create a personalized treatment plan for your child after an exhaustive examination.
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Panic Syndrome
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and panic at certain times. It’s a natural response to stressful or dangerous situations. Someone with panic disorder has feelings of anxiety, stress, and panic regularly and at any time, often for no apparent reason.
The relationship between psychiatry, neurology, and psychology is not always clearly defined as all three disciplines focus on the brain. Our team focuses on treating the whole person, including diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety. We first perform a comprehensive exam and neurological testing to identify neurological conditions.
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PANDAS
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder or PANDAS is a complex disorder with many different symptoms unique to each patient. A child may be diagnosed with PANDAS following a streptococcal (strep) infection or scarlet fever. Children diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorder, or both after having strep or Scarlett fever can cause PANDAS. Because a diagnosis of PANDAS requires an appearance or worsening suddenly after a strep infection or Scarlett fever, children routinely receive an incorrect diagnosis. Due to this, it is important to provide the doctor with a complete medical history and notify them if a child’s symptoms change after an infection.
The first treatment option for PANDAS is to treat the strep infection causing the symptoms with antibiotics if it is still present. Children with PANDAS-related obsessive-compulsive symptoms will benefit from standard behavioral therapies and medications. Tics respond to a variety of medications. OCD symptoms are treated best with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. With over 25 years of experience, you can trust the neurologists at Children’s Brain Institute to provide comprehensive PANDAS care.
With over 25 years of experience, you can trust the neurologists at Children’s Brain Institute to provide comprehensive PANDAS care.
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Treatments
Absence Epilepsy Syndrome
Absence seizures are brief seizures during which the child is unresponsive. Absence seizures are characterized by recurrent seizures that cause staring or becoming unresponsive. Eyes may repeatedly blink or roll up briefly. Absence seizures are often mistaken for daydreaming. Like other kinds of seizures, they are caused by brief abnormal electrical activity in a person’s brain. Children’s absence syndrome can start as early as age 3. Children may have many absence seizures on a given day, and the seizures may go unnoticed.
A diet that’s high in fat and low in carbohydrates, known as a ketogenic diet, can improve seizure control in some people. Certain nutrients, vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese, taurine, dimethylglycine, and omega-3 fatty acids, may reduce seizure frequency. Clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in seizures for people taking CBD. For many children, Absence seizures are treated with anti-seizure medications. Children may be able to taper off antiseizure medicines under a doctor’s supervision after they’ve been seizure-free for two years.
Epileptologist will be able to give you the most advanced treatment, and their expertise in epilepsy could mean that they will be able to control seizures if regular medications are not helping. At Children’s Brain Institute, your child will be seen by a highly experienced epileptologist.
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Infantile Spasms Syndrome
Infantile spasms are a specific type of seizure and spasms that affect infants and children. It is quite common to have a misdiagnosis made early. Colic is often a misdiagnosis due to the pattern of the attacks and the child’s cry during or after an attack.
Early treatment options are different medications, including steroids, corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or vigabatrin. Other helpful anti-seizure medications may be used; however, these medications are considered less effective than steroids/ACTH. Most children will have their spasms controlled by medications. Malformations of the brain or complex tuberous sclerosis are reasons to explore epilepsy surgery.
Early diagnosis and treatment are important in a child’s developmental outcomes. Many infants with infantile spasms will develop autism or have intellectual disabilities later in life.
Neurologists spend nearly 10 years in training and if they wish to specialize in epilepsy, they need to do approximately two more years of study.
Treatments
Tic Disorders
A tic is a fast uncontrollable spasm-like movement of particular muscles that can occur anywhere in the body that people repeatedly do and often affects the eyelids or face. Most tics are mild and hardly noticeable. However, in some cases, they are frequent and severe and can affect many areas of a child’s life. Exactly what causes tics to occur is not understood. They often happen alongside other conditions, such as:
– Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
– Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
There’s no cure for tics. There are behavioral therapies, medicines, and surgery to control tics that interfere with everyday activities. Behavioral therapy is a treatment that teaches people to manage their tics. Tics may be managed with medications that include neuroleptics and other sedatives. Children’s Brain Institute partners with child psychiatrists and psychologists, who work with our neuropsychologist to develop a unique treatment for Tics and related disorders. With over 25 years of experience we can be a trusted partner.
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