Description
Child neurologists combine the special expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles, nerves) with an understanding of medical disorders in childhood and the special needs of the child and his or her family and environment.
In many cases, child neurologists work as a team with pediatricians or other primary care doctors. In addition, child neurologists may work with other pediatric specialists to care for children who have more complex or serious medical issues, such as epilepsy, birth defects, or mental retardation. These are chronic conditions that require ongoing care and close follow-up throughout childhood and adolescence. Common pediatric neurologic disorders include:
- Epilepsy
- Headaches
- Developmental Delay
- Cerebral Palsy
- Strokes
- Metabolic and genetic disorders
- Autism
- Demyelinating disorders
This information was adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Program
- Length of training: 5 years (including 2 years of prerequisites)
- Match: NRMP
- Application service: ERAS
Prerequisite: Three options to fulfill requirement: (1) Two years of residency training in pediatrics in the United States or Canada; (2) 1 PGY-1 year and one year of residency training in pediatrics; or (3) One year of pediatrics plus one year basic neuroscience training (pre-approval from the program director is required).
Child Neurology Residency: Length of training - 3 years
- 1 year of training must be in clinical adult neurology
- 1 year of training must be in clinical child neurology
- 1 year of training which is flexible to include principles of neurophysiology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, neuroophthalmology, psychiatry, rehabilitation, neurological surgery, neurodevelopment, and basic neurosciences.
Certification of individuals trained in child neurology is provided by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). To be eligible you must have satisfactorily completed all prerequisite training and three years of child neurology residency training. Board certification will be in neurology with special qualification in child neurology.
Pediatric Neurology at Ohio State
- Chief of Child Neurology: Anup D. Patel, MD
- Program Director: Margie Ream, MD, PhD
- Program Coordinator: Stephanie Mangham
Specialty Champions
- Dana Albert, MD - epilepsy
- Emily De Los Reyes, MD - neurodevelopmental and autism
- Satya Gedela, MD - epilepsy surgery
- Howard Jacobs, MD - headache
- Warren Lo, MD - stroke
- Jennifer McKinney, MD - general pediatric neurology and neuromuscular medicine
- Margie Ream, MD, PhD - general pediatric neurology and neonatal neurology
- Pedro Weisleder, MD, PhD - general pediatric neurology and ethics