All about Paediatric Neuro-Surgery

From new-born infants to adolescents, children across age groups are vulnerable to a wide range of neurological disorders. This can be caused by congenital (since birth) defects, inherited disorders, injury or trauma to the head, high fever, and certain ailments. Diagnosing the condition precisely and treating it requires a different kind of expertise. This is because, unlike adults, children cannot describe accurately the symptoms or sensations they are experiencing.

To overcome these challenges, there is a separate branch of medicine called Paediatric Neurosurgery. Doctors who specialize in this field have a degree, diploma, or certification in the subject and receive extensive training too. They are the most qualified people to diagnose neurological disorders in children and treat them with or without surgery.

Some paediatric neurological disorders

• Deformities of the head (skull and brain) and spinal cord
• Congenital malformations of the brain and spine
• Minor defects in the brain, spine, or nerves
• Birth injuries that cause weakness in arms and legs
• Traumatic brain and spinal injuries
• Spasticity or abnormalities in gait
• Arachnoid cysts
• Brachial plexus injury
• Tumours in the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebral palsy and other conditions causing spasticity
• Learning disorders such as dyslexia
• Chiari malformation
• Craniofacial syndromes
• Craniosynostosis
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Neural tube disorders such as spina bifida and syringomyelia
• Skeletal dysplasia
• Hydrocephalus
• Vascular abnormalities such as moyamoya and paediatric aneurysm

Symptoms of such disorders

• Increase or lack of growth in head size
• Delayed development
• Muscle rigidity, tremors, or seizures
• Lack of coordination
• Changes in activity, reflexes, or movements
• Changes in level of consciousness or mood
• Muscle wasting
• Learning disabilities
• Slurred speech
• Loss of sensation in one or more parts of the body
• Persistent or severe headache

Risk Factors for Paediatric Neuro Diseases

The central nervous system is quite complex and takes time to develop fully, sometimes well into adulthood. In children, this growth and development is ongoing. In such a scenario, any injuries, ailments, inherited disorders that show up now or psychological conditions can create various neurological disorders.

Some risk factors are:

• Blood supply or vascular disorders that cause disruption in blood flow to the brain
• Congenital or metabolic health conditions/ailments
• Trauma or injury to head, face, and spinal cord
• Degeneration of muscle or nerve tissue due to one or more conditions
• Mental health issues such as anxiety disorder, psychosis, and depression
• Immune system disorders
• Tumours
• Structural defects that the child is born with
• Infections that develop any time after birth
• Exposure to toxic substances or drugs

Some of the treatments

• Tethered cord treatment for myelomeningocele and lipomyelomeningocele (spina bifida)
• Endoscopic surgery for Hydrocephalus
• Neuro-endoscopy for arachnoid cysts and tumour biopsy
• Surgical and non-surgical treatment for paediatric tumours
• Surgical interventions for craniofacial anomalies and craniosynostosis which show up as abnormal shapes of head with some symptoms
• Medication for cerebral infections such as tuberculosis, abscess, ventriculitis and meningitis
• Antenatal counseling to assess the risk of genetic disorders in the foetus (foetal interventions)
• Correction treatments for scoliosis and paediatric spine defects

• Treatment for paediatric epilepsy including medical devices to prevent or control seizures, dietary therapies, and brain surgery
• Surgical or non-surgical interventions for paediatric head injury
• Surgical interventions for vascular malformations
• Rehabilitation for children with neurological problems or learning disorders

Conclusion

If your child or a child that is dear to you is showing any of the symptoms listed above, do not worry. Reach out to us. We have experienced Paediatric Neuro Surgeons on our rolls. Our specialists will diagnose the child’s condition through various tests and then pursue the best course of treatment for quick recovery and rehabilitation.

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801