Cases of COVID-19 neurological damage in kids have been rare, but children with chronic neurological diseases have seen their conditions worsen, according to a child neurologist in Louisville. “People have seen really small numbers of kids with rare complications spread across the country,” said Michael L. Sweeney M.D., a child neurologist with Norton Children’s Neuroscience…
Using electrical stimulation to treat seizures in children — neuromodulation — is a potentially life-changing treatment option for kids with drug-resistant, or refractory, epilepsy. “Neuromodulation is the alteration of nerve activity through targeted delivery of a stimulus, such as electrical stimulation,” said Ian S. Mutchnick, M.D., a pediatric neurosurgeon at Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated…
Speech delay in toddlers is very common, along with other developmental delays in children such as motor skills, listening, understanding or social development. About 15% to 20% of children nationally are affected by developmental delays. Children can outgrow those delays later in childhood, especially when delays are addressed early. The opportunity to treat developmental delays…
Tests to diagnose muscular dystrophy generally look for genes associated with inherited muscle diseases and include measures of muscle strength and neurological tests along with other examinations to rule out other causes of symptoms. Before any complex tests are conducted, your pediatrician or specialist physician will ask about your child’s symptoms and whether any other…
Migraine headaches can start at any age, affecting babies and toddlers. There are many differences in symptoms children and adults. What can parents do to spot a migraine and get your child relief? What ages do migraine headaches appear in children? Although migraine headaches most commonly occur in teens and young adults, the attacks can…
A 2017 study in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology showed that children in Appalachia, a region that spans 13 states including large parts of Eastern Kentucky, are more at risk for a type of pediatric brain tumor called juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA). What is juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma? The study compared how often pediatric brain tumors happened…
Staying at the forefront of new developments that can help children with epilepsy, headaches and other conditions affecting the brain, nervous system, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles comes naturally to Amanda Rogers, M.D., a child neurologist and director of pediatric neuromuscular disorders with Norton Children’s Neurology, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Rogers’…
Alex and Aaron Haas had heard of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) — a former neighbor of Aaron’s had a grandchild who died from it — but didn’t know much about it when 3-month-old Riley seemed less active than a family friend’s baby of the same age. A small knot in the back of Riley’s neck…
Pediatric neurology nurse practitioner Stephanie Wagner, APRN, offers children in Owensboro, Kentucky, and the surrounding area a full-time local provider for neurological care. “I really try to keep my patient care family-centered and listen to each family’s needs and make an individual plan of care based off of that,” Stephanie said. Stephanie offers care for…
The 5-year-old who arrived at the Norton Children’s Hospital emergency department in December was far different than the happy, healthy girl her parents had come to know. A month earlier, it started with emotional outbursts. One day she repeated the word “puppy” over and over and then laughed hysterically. The next, she seemed afraid of…
Rolando M. Puno, M.D., spine specialist with the Norton Children’s Spina Bifida Clinic and Norton Leatherman Spine, likes solving difficult challenges. Patients from around the world have come to Dr. Puno for surgery and treatment of their complex spinal conditions. “It’s kind of my nature, I guess,” Dr. Puno said. “If I see an issue,…
As a medical student, Kimberly S. Huhmann, M.D., was interested in both pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. It was during her residency that Dr. Huhmann started considering combining her interests as a pediatric and adolescent gynecology specialist. “It’s the perfect meld of patient care that’s both surgical and procedural, and has continuity,” Dr. Huhmann said. “I love…