Hydrocephalus in newborns represents one of the most challenging conditions faced in neonatal care. Early recognition and appropriate intervention are crucial for optimal outcomes. The key to managing newborn hydrocephalus lies in recognizing changes over time. “It’s not what the brain looks like at any moment. It’s what it looks like today versus previously,”…
Neonatal seizures represent one of the most common and challenging neurologic conditions encountered in the neonatal intensive care unit. The unique characteristics of the developing nervous system and their often subtle clinical manifestations complicate recognition and management, according to Lester M. “Max” Gallivan, M.D., a resident in pediatric neurology at the UofL School of Medicine and…
Neonatal hypotonia, or “floppy infant syndrome,” is a common condition encountered after delivery and in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Early diagnosis and differentiating etiology of low tone are critical to help prevent further complications. “Hypotonia can be a manifestation of systemic illness or dysfunction of any level of the nervous system,” said Amanda…
Cerebral palsy describes a range of permanent motor function disorders arising from a one-time change to the fetal or infant brain. Cerebral palsy symptoms are secondary to a brain injury or malformation before, during or shortly after birth, according to Christopher R. Barton, M.D., a pediatric neurologist with Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated with the…
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common disabilities affecting children. It is a group of permanent conditions and symptoms that affect movement, posture, overall mobility, gross motor skills, manual ability, vision, speech and muscle tone. Movement disorders such as this are often accompanied by disturbances in sensation, cognition, communication or behavior. Some statistics about…
Pediatric epileptologists are specialized pediatric neurologists who help to confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy, discover what is causing a child’s seizures and work to find an individualized management strategy considering concomitant medical issues. Referral to a pediatric epileptologist is recommended: To confirm the diagnosis of epilepsy For patients with multiple other medical conditions along with…
Reviewed by Brian M. Plato, D.O., FAHS, neurologist and headache specialist at Norton Neuroscience Institute. Migraine is a common, disabling condition among teenagers, making it difficult for them to keep up with school activities and their family and social lives, according to Brian M. Plato, D.O., FAHS, a neurologist and headache specialist at Norton Neuroscience…
Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain combined with machine learning could provide a fast and objective alternative to traditional methods of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a recently published study. Currently, the gold standard for an autism diagnosis is a set of diagnostic evaluations, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation…
Stroke is the sixth-leading cause of death in children, and early recognition is key. Those at higher risk of stroke include newborns and pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia, congenital heart defects, immune disorders, clotting disorders and hidden disorders, such as narrow blood vessels. If a pediatric stroke is suspected, Norton Children’s has implemented an…
Pediatric neurologist Cullen S. Marshall, M.D., has joined Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Marshall recently completed a residency in child neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2017. While in residency, Dr. Marshall was…
Pediatric movement disorders are characterized by impaired voluntary movements, abnormal involuntary movements or movements at inappropriate times. Tic disorders are the most common pediatric movement disorders and can be divided into motor tics and phonic or vocal tics. They tend to peak between the ages of 8 and 12 and are much more common in…
The patient A 6-year-old girl was admitted to Norton Children’s Hospital on May 11, 2020, with uncontrolled seizures that progressed to status epilepticus. The challenge After maximal medical intervention, neurosurgery was consulted on June 12, 2020. Her electroencephalogram (EEG) showed a possible seizure focus in the left central and posterior regions, but her MRI showed…