Definition of a Pediatric Neurologist

A pediatric neurologist or child neurologist is a doctor who specializes in treating nervous system problems in children. This includes diseases of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy and a wide variety of nerve and muscle diseases. These doctors treat disorders of the neonatal period, infancy, childhood and adolescence. Training to become a pediatric neurologist requires approximately 13 years of training after high school.

Job Description

• Pediatric neurologists treat both inherited and acquired neurological problems in children. They treat neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and peripheral neuropathy in children. Pediatric neurologists diagnose and treat disorders affecting the brain such as mental retardation, seizure disorders, brain tumors and traumatic brain injuries. These doctors also diagnose and manage behavioral disorders such as attention-deficit disorder, sleep problems and autism, as well as developmental disorders such as developmental delay in motor milestones or speech.

Becoming a Doctor

• Candidates interested in becoming pediatric neurologists must complete three to four years of undergraduate school to qualify for admission to medical school. Most candidates complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Medical school lasts four years and consists of two years classroom and laboratory training and two years hands-on experience working under the supervision of a licensed doctor. Med students obtain experience in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and surgery.

Licensure and Advanced Training

• All physicians in the United States are required to be licensed. Candidates must graduate from an accredited medical school and pass the Unites States Medical Licensing Examination. Becoming a child neurologist requires an additional one to two years of pediatric residency followed by three or more years residency training in child and adult neurology.

Board Certification

• According to HealthyChildren.org, most pediatric neurologists obtain certification from the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology offers certification in neurology with additional qualification in child neurology. Board certification is proof of dedication and professionalism. Certification by the American Board of Pediatrics consists of a certification exam at the end of training and maintenance of certification throughout your career.

Considerations

• The field of pediatric neurology requires combine expertise in diagnosing and treating neurological problems with expertise in working with children and their families. Pediatric neurologists work closely with family doctors and pediatricians, especially when working with children who have multiple medical problems, such as birth defects. They can be found in hospitals, children’s hospitals, university medical centers, private practices and clinics.