The term cerebral palsy refers to a group of conditions, all related to problems with muscle control and movement. These conditions are caused by a brain injury before, during or after birth. Although they are lifelong, there are a range of treatments available to support your child's development.
Private paediatric neurology
What is paediatric neurology?
Our specialist paediatric neurologists are here to support your child with everything from headaches and neuropathic pain to childhood epilepsy, motor neurone disease and brain tumours. We can help investigate, diagnose and treat a whole range of conditions affecting the brain, spine, nerves and muscles of children and get your child and family the support you need.
Paediatric neurological conditions we treat
Cerebral palsy
Childhood stroke
If the blood supply to your child’s brain is blocked (ischaemic) or a blood vessel in their brain bursts (haemorrhagic) they can have a sudden stroke. If you suspect your child is having a stroke, call 999 immediately. Our specialists are here to support your child with follow up treatment and care such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.
Childhood epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common neurological condition in which the brain experiences unwanted bursts of electrical activity, causing you child’s body to have a seizure. There are different types of childhood epilepsy and our paediatric neurologists are skilled at identifying and treating these with options including anti-epilepsy medication, specialist diets or surgery.
Headaches and migraine service
Although it’s common for children to have headaches, in some cases they can become problematic enough to affect a child’s quality of life making it important to get to the root cause of the problem. That might involve tests such as an MRI, CT scan and blood tests. Our specialists can go on to create a treatment plan which may include medication, physiotherapy, lifestyle recommendations and ongoing rehabilitation.
Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)
If your child has been diagnosed with spastic diplegia - a condition that affects 25% of children with cerebral palsy - they may find it difficult to walk due to stiffness in their legs. Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) - a specialist spinal cord procedure - can help. This operation is followed by physiotherapy and will be monitored for up to two years to increase the effectiveness of the operation.
Cerebral hypoxia
Cerebral hypoxia occurs when the brain gets less oxygen than it needs because of an injury from a fall, an assault or a traffic accident. Symptoms such as seizures, memory loss and vomiting and treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury, ranging from monitoring to surgery and rehabilitation.
Cavernoma
If you child has an unusual collection of blood vessels in their brain or spinal cord it’s known as a cavernoma or cavernous malformation. Sometimes there are no symptoms or they may experience seizures, dizziness, numbness or tiredness. If that’s the case, your specialist will discuss treatments such as medication or possibly surgery.
Brain tumours
Brain tumours are sadly the most common type of tumour in children. Early warning signs include headaches, vomiting or seizures. Our consultants will use a range of diagnostic methods to try to quickly locate and identify any tumour including CT/MRI scans, blood tests and biopsies. They may then recommend surgery or steroids/medication for your child, depending on the size and location of the tumour. At HCA Healthcare UK, you’ll have all the right experts at hand to help deliver the best possible outcomes, care and support for your child and your whole family.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles within your child’s brain, causing increased pressure in their skull. This condition is sometimes present from birth but it can also happen because of something like a head injury, an infection or a tumour. The most common treatment for hydrocephalus is using a shunt or tube to drain excess fluid into another part of the body. Our specialist teams are here to support your child from diagnosis to treatment.
Motor neurone disease (MND)
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing messages from the brain to stop reaching the muscles, which leads to weakness over time. Although there's no cure for MND, people can live with it for many years and there are various treatments and therapies that can help you and your child manage their symptoms.
Neuropathic pain
If your child has burning, aching or electric shock sensations in some parts of their body, they may be experiencing neuropathic pain. This can also cause pins and needles, numbness and weakness. Although it is usually unresponsive to common painkillers, neuropathic pain can be treated by investigating and treating the cause of the pain.
Our paediatric neurology facilities
The Portland Hospital is home to the UK's only private paediatric acute neurological rehabilitation centre. We also have a level three paediatric intensive care unit, so we can support your child with the highest level of care.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.