A type of severe seizure, infantile spasms require urgent evaluation and treatment. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of infantile spasms is too often delayed because they may be subtle, go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed as some other less serious condition (i.e., reflux). When associated with an electroencephalography (EEG) pattern of hypsarrhythmia (Figure 1), this is known as … Continue reading Infantile Spasms – Primary Steps for Primary Care
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Torticollis – Primary Steps for Primary Care
Torticollis is characterized by a lateral head tilt with the chin rotated in the opposite direction. It can be caused by many conditions, most commonly as a result of congenital asymmetry in the lengths of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles. Torticollis occurs in approximately 0.3-1.9% of all live births, more frequently in males, and most commonly … Continue reading Torticollis – Primary Steps for Primary Care
Renewed Hope: Novel Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Improving Outcomes
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease that presents as progressive muscle weakness secondary to loss of lower motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord. With an incidence of 1 in 10,000 live births, SMA is the most common genetic cause of death in infancy, but new treatments may soon … Continue reading Renewed Hope: Novel Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Improving Outcomes
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Migraine Treatment
Migraine is a common reason for referral to pediatric neurology. Very often, lifestyle modifications such as improved sleep, regular exercise, adequate hydration and avoidance of migraine triggers can reduce the frequency of migraines. For some, despite these measures, migraines continue to occur many times per month and require further treatment. One approach to treatment includes … Continue reading Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Migraine Treatment
Focus On Research: Cook Children’s Neurosciences Announces Director of New Research Center
The Cook Children’s Dodson Neuro Research Endowment was founded in 2018 to support research aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, along with other common neurological conditions. The Endowment funds a team of dedicated research staff to work closely with neurosciences faculty on study design, data analysis and publication of results. This team’s … Continue reading Focus On Research: Cook Children’s Neurosciences Announces Director of New Research Center
New-Onset Seizure Clinic Seeks to Decrease Wait Time for Initial Evaluation
A child’s first unprovoked seizure is one of the most common problems referred to pediatric neurologists. This affects up to 40,000 children each year. While most of these patients will never have a second seizure, it is a frightening time for the family as they await diagnostic workup and neurology consultation. To help expedite care, … Continue reading New-Onset Seizure Clinic Seeks to Decrease Wait Time for Initial Evaluation
Physiatry Addition to Cook Children’s Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation Program
Cook Children’s Neurosciences Center has long provided comprehensive rehabilitation services to children through our state-of-the-art Neurorehabilitation Unit, Motion Lab, and multispecialty clinics for cerebral palsy, spasticity, movement disorders, stroke, and neuromuscular disease. Starting August 2019, Cook Children’s Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center will expand our neurorehabilitation services with the addition of Pediatric Physiatrist Kristen … Continue reading Physiatry Addition to Cook Children’s Comprehensive Neurorehabilitation Program
Defining Impact of Early Life Epilepsy on Patient Outcomes
It is well known that early-life epilepsies (ELEs) are associated with poor outcomes including intractable or drug-resistant seizures, developmental and cognitive disabilities, poor regulation of other functions controlled by the nervous system, as well as increased risk for mortality. Early-life epilepsies are defined by a diagnosis of epilepsy greater than 28 days of life and … Continue reading Defining Impact of Early Life Epilepsy on Patient Outcomes
A Tandem Approach to Treating Craniosynostosis
At Cook Children’s, we feel the best way to correct a birth defect called craniosynostosis is with a little teamwork. The sutures on an infant’s skull are active areas of skull growth designed to accommodate the rapid growth of the neonate brain. In the first six months the head will grow about ½ to 1 … Continue reading A Tandem Approach to Treating Craniosynostosis
Breaking New Ground in Dravet Syndrome Treatment
Cook Children’s Neurosciences Medical Director, Scott Perry, M.D., talks about a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, and shares how the ongoing study and research of this genetic seizure disorder is bringing hope to children with this often severe and debilitating condition.