Pediatric Neurology

The pediatric neurology department at the American Hospital provides evidence-based and multidisciplinary assessment and management of children with neurological and neurodevelopmental problems. The department is led by Dr. Ubaid Shah, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist, and Epileptologist.

 

The department consists of the following integrated services:

• Pediatric neurology service
Pediatric Epilepsy service 
• Pediatric neurodevelopment service
• Pediatric neurorehabilitation service

 

Pediatric neurology service:

We diagnose and treat children and adolescents with a broad range of neurological disorders. These are medical problems affecting the brain, nerves, and muscles. A thorough and comprehensive clinical assessment is supported by advanced neuro diagnostics, including blood testing, lumbar puncture, MRI, PET Scan, and advanced digital VideoEEG ( for measuring brain waves).

 

This service provides opinions on general neurological conditions in infants, children, and adolescents including:

• Headaches including migraines
• Neurogenetics including tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis
• Neuro-inflammatory disorders:

  • Pediatric multiple sclerosis
    Post-infectious neuro-psychiatry disorders
    Inflammatory encephalopathies

• Medical aspects of head injuries and brain tumors.
• Neuromuscular problems like:

  • Myasthenia gravis
    Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
    Hypotonia
    Dystonia

• Cerebral palsy
• Neurometabolic disorders
• Movement disorders

 

Pediatric Epilepsy service:

Dr. Ubaid Shah our pediatric epileptologist offers comprehensive pediatric epilepsy service at American Hospital Dubai. Please visit the details of service here 

 

Pediatric Neurodevelopment Service

We offer holistic and child-centered medical assessment and support for children with Neuro-disability and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Our highly qualified pediatric multidisciplinary team consists of a consultant pediatric neurologist, Consultant Pediatric rehabilitation physician, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and clinical psychologist.

During the first consultation visit we discuss parents’ concerns, take a medical history, and undertake a thorough neurological examination.

Based on the outcome of the first visit and the recognized child’s difficulties, further assessments may be recommended. This could include a detailed and standardized general neurodevelopmental assessment or specific physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, or psychology assessment and support. Evaluation of specific disorders, such as autism or ADHD may also be recommended.

We provide a diagnostic evaluation of a broad range of neurodevelopmental problems including opinions about the diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of the problem and evidence-based management strategies.

 

Some of the neurodevelopmental problems we assess and manage are:

• Speech and language delay
• Delayed walking and motor skills
• Autism spectrum disorder
• ADHD
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Cognitive delay
• Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome and Prader Willi syndrome
• learning difficulties
• Dyslexia and other learning disabilities
• Dyspraxia

 

Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Service

We provide neurorehabilitation services for a broad range of neurological disorders including cerebral palsy and neuromuscular conditions. At AHD you’ll find a broad range of physicians and other health care professionals, specialized in caring for children requiring neuro-rehabilitation. Our specialists work collaboratively to help achieve the best outcome for your child and make sure you and your family have the support you need.

Neurodevelopment refers to the progress in growing children’s abilities of speech and language,  mobility and manual dexterity. It follows typical stages or milestones.  

Delay in reaching communication, language,  or motor skills milestones is called neurodevelopmental delay. 

This may be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic and metabolic disorders, complications during pregnancy, and premature birth.  

At the American hospital, we offer holistic and child-centered medical assessment and support of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.  

The management is carried out by a highly qualified pediatric multidisciplinary team consisting of a consultant pediatrician, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and clinical psychologist 

We undertake a thorough pediatric neurology and a standardized neruodevelopmental assessment.  

We run all necessary investigations such as genetic and metabolic testing, MRI neuroimaging and  EEG. We provide early intervention program to help your child reach their potential.  

Autism spectrum disorder, ASD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that primarily affects the child’s communication and interaction skills.  Children’s difficulties manifest in two key areas: 

  1. Social interaction and social communication:  Children with autism spectrum disorder find it difficult to relate to others. They have delayed or disordered speech and language skills. They have also difficulties in non-verbal communication such as smiling and making eye contact.  

2-Restricted interests and behaviour: Children with autism spectrum disorder might become excessively  preoccupied with a single topic, such as cars, numbers, or weather. They tend to have rituals that they must follow exactly. E.g. they may insist on eating particular foods in a specific order, or to take the exact same route home to school. They become excessively upset, if these habits are disrupted.  

While Autism spectrum disorder cannot be cured, many of their difficulties can be improved if they are diagnosed early. It is therefore important that children with autism are diagnosed as early as possible.  

Here at the American hospital we have dedicated professionals with high experience in diagnosing and managing Autism. We take a multidisciplinary approach that includes, pediatric neurology assessment,  Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and clinical psychology.  

ADHD stands for "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder." It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in two key areas: 

Attention deficit: Children have trouble paying attention or focusing on a single topic. 

Hyperactivity: excessive activity. Children may e.g. have difficulties sitting still or playing quietly. 

We undertake a multi-professional assessment which includes pediatric neurology assessment,  psychology and occupational therapy assessment.  

We offer effective ADHD treatment based on a combination of medication and behavior treatment.  

Cerebral palsy is a disorder that primarily causes problems with movement and balance. Many symptoms are caused by weakness or stiffness of the child’s skeletal muscles. Children with cerebral palsy often also have other problems, such as difficulties with eating and drinking ( dysphagia), recurrent chest infections, seizures, and hearing and vision problems.  

At the American Hospital we take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to the assessment and management of cerebral palsy.  

We have access to all necessary investigations, including neuroimaging with MRI, genetic and metabolic testing, and EEG.  

We provide an early intervention program, which will support your child to undertake everyday activities to the best of their potential and abilities.  

We may prescribe medicines to treat symptoms such as stiff muscles or seizures.  

We ensure that children are provided with the optimal nutrition to support their weight gain and development.  

Epilepsy: 

Epilepsy is a condition that causes repeated seizures (fits), caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This may manifest as convulsions (tonic-clonic seizures), blank staring (absence seizures), or passing out (syncope).  

At the American hospital, we run all the necessary investigations including EEG, neuroimaging, and genetic and metabolic testing.  

If epilepsy is confirmed, we can provide and monitor effective treatment with anti-seizure medicines.  

Doctors Panel of Pediatric Neurology

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