Neurological Diseases in Children

Neurological diseases are disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, eyes and sensory organs, as a result of illness, infection, injury, tumors or birth defects. These conditions may be barely noticeable or may significantly impair daily functioning.

Types

• Neurological diseases that may affect children range from mild or easily treatable conditions such as attention deficit disorder or migraines to more serious conditions, such as spina bifida and multiple sclerosis.

Symptoms

• Symptoms depend on the type and severity of the condition, and include small head size, coordination difficulties, developmental delays and seizures. Neurological disorders may also cause mood changes, numbness, tingling and vision problems.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis may take time, as symptoms overlap with other conditions. Patients typically meet with a neurologist, who can order testing such as EEGs, MRIs or spinal taps. Surgery may also be recommended.

Significance

• Some neurological diseases are more prevalent than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 out of every 278 children has cerebral palsy. Spina bifida affects approximately 1 out of 1,000 children, while muscular dystrophy may occur in 1 out of every 7,500 births.

Treatment

• Neurological diseases are treated with medications, surgery and/or occupational, physical or speech therapy. Proper prenatal behavior can lower the risk of some disorders---spina bifida, for example, is linked to a lack of folic acid.