The brain is one of the most delicate organs in the human body. Dysfunction of the brain or nervous system can cause neurological disorders and result in psychological or physical problems.

Overview

The World Health Organization reports that various types of neurological disorders affect millions of people around the world, including 24 million that suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and 326 million who experience migraines.

Neurological disorders in children occur when something is abnormal in the central nervous system which comprises the brain and the spine. The nervous system controls everything in the human body including movement, vision and hearing abilities. These disorders can vary from epilepsy to thalassemia, cerebral palsy, movement disorders and many more. Some children might be born with the disorder or some acquire the disorder later in life due to a serious brain infection or injury.

Today, we will be discussing neurological disorders/infections in children with Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Faisal Zafar. He is a leading Child Neuro Physician of South Punjab, Multan. Currently, working as an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Neurology in Children’s Hospital, Multan.

When to Contact a Pediatric Neurologist?

According to Dr. Faisal, there are five warning signs when a child has a neurological disorder and shows a decline in developmental milestones.

1.     Developmental delays: The delays in developmental milestones manifest during infancy or childhood. These limitations can be cognitive, motor performance, vision, hearing and speech, behaviour, self-help and problem-solving. Dr. Faisalstates, some examples of developmental delays can be no eye contact, slow IQ, size of the brain too big or small, no or less mental growth and many more.

2.     Languagedisorders: When a child has a sudden language disorder or speech loss such as difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking, trouble understanding speech, and difficulty with reading and writing.

3.     Nutritional factors: A neurological disorder might occur if a child is introduced to a food item such as protein, fat or glucose which the body does not accept. Typically, a diet high in sugar or fat can compromise the immune system and affect brain health.

4.     Damaginginfection: An infection in the central nervous system can cause illnesses such as brain abscesses or meningitis.

5.     Changes in activity, reflexes, or movements:  The disorder can result in clumsiness, inaccuracy, instability, imbalance, tremor ora lack of coordination while performing voluntary movements.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of neurological disorders can vary significantly, depending upon the type of disorder as well as the specific area of the body that is affected. These are some common symptoms of pediatric neurological disorders: 

• Partial or complete paralysis
• Muscle weakness
• Seizures
• Difficulty reading and writing
• Poor cognitive abilities
• Unexplained pain
• Decreased alertness
• Lack of coordination
• Changes in the level of consciousness or mood
• Headaches
• Numbness or loss of strength in a limb
• Dizziness
• Memory problems
• Speech problems
• Vision problems

Causes

Dr. Faisal says, “Neurological impairments have been found to be more common in preterm and low birth weight children”. Some neurological disorders are congenital, meaning they are birth defects or conditions that develop in the womb and some are acquired after birth.  

In the majority of cases, genetic factors influence the development of a variety of neurologic disorders that are typically inherited from parents through genes.

Acquired or post-birth causes can be due to immune disorders, postnatal infection, brain injury or environmental toxins.

Diagnosis

"Early detection is crucial to avoid any further complications", emphasises Dr.Faisal Zafar. Parents must pay attention to any unusual symptoms their child depicts and always make sure to take the child’s concerns seriously. Seeking medical opinion in the case of doubt is always advisable.

Evaluating and diagnosing damage to the nervous system is complicated. The certified Pediatric Neurologist will examine the child for any signs and symptoms of a neurological disorder. The doctor will check the vision, hearing and balance of the child and might request some diagnostic tools such as blood tests, CT scans, MRI, EEG, Spinal tap and PET scans.

Treatment

There are multiple treatments for neurological disorders, which can vary depending on the condition. Proper treatment and medication can help to manage the condition, reduce children’s neurological disorder symptoms and improve the quality of life.

Conclusion

Neurological disorders can limit a child’s happiness and independence throughout their lives. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention is the key as there is a better chance of identifying the cause, treating it and decreasing the chances of long-term complications.  Some simple lifestyle changes such as proper nutrition, physical exercise, good night’s sleep are giant steps towards maintaining overall health and preventing neurological disorders in life.

To book an online or physical appointment with Pediatric Neurologist Dr.FaisalZafar click on the link https://www.shifaam.com/doctors/multan/paediatric-neurologist/dr-faisal-zafar-11828. You can also visit us on www.shifaam.com or download the Shifaam HealthAppnow from Google Play (bit.ly/2JqZo3C) or the iOS App Store (apple.co/2QUVxQz)for all your healthcare needs.