Common Neurological Disorders in Children

Neurological disorders in children occur when your child develops problems with part of the nervous system, specifically the brain, spinal cord or nerves. Although some neurological disorders in children can't be prevented, basic preventive steps may reduce your little one's chances of developing certain neurological disorders.

Causes

• Some common neurological disorders in children arise from birth defects; other causes include tumors, injuries (such as head trauma), infections and disruption in blood flow.

Autism

• Characterized by problems interacting and socializing with others, autism is a spectrum neurological disorder that often appears during your child's first three years of life and occurs in approximately one out of every 100 children, according to 2009 statistics from the Autism Society.

Meningitis

• Also called spinal meningitis, meningitis is inflammation of the lining around your child's brain or spinal cord caused by a virus or bacterial infection. Untreated bacterial meningitis may lead to additional neurological disorders such as stroke and brain damage.

Spinal Bifida

• The result of a birth defect, spinal bifida affects your little one's spinal cord and often results in leg paralysis, bladder control problems and learning disabilities throughout life.

Prevention/Solution

• Using protective headgear can reduce your child's chances of developing neurological disorders resulting from injury. Also, if you become pregnant, take a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid to lower your baby's chances of developing spinal bifida.