Neurology is the study of disorders of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spine and nerves. These nerves are wired together throughout the body and carry messages through the body like electrical impulses to keep the body functioning.
Because the brain is the master controller of the human body, when something goes wrong within its structure, it is often serious and can affect multiple body systems. Disease, mental illness, and head trauma or injury can all affect the functioning of the brain and upset the delicate balance of the body's systems and their activities.
Neurological disorders in children can include:
- Epilepsy (seizures)
- Learning disabilities
- Attention deficit disorder
- Sleep disorders
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Brain tumors
- Mental retardation
- Autism
- Concussions
- Severe headaches
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
Virtua has a partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to provide pediatric neurologists who have a unique expertise in the care of children and adolescents. CHOP pediatric neurologists are available at Virtua Memorial and Virtua Voorhees hospitals.
Virtua offers a range of services to diagnose and treat an array of neurological disorders.
Virtua Camden provides the CASTLE (Children Achieving Success through Therapeutic Life Experiences) program that provides intensive outpatient treatment for emotionally and/or behaviorally disturbed children including those with neurological disorders such as attention hyperactivity disorder.
This program:
- Helps children and teens ages 5 to 15 who reside in Camden City and the surrounding community
- Operates at Virtua Camden, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 3 pm
- Is paid for by Medical Assistance and the child's school district
- Provides door-to-door transportation to eligible participants
- Provides meals and snacks daily
To treat sleep disorders, Virtua's SleepCare Centers offer medical evaluation and a full range of diagnostic testing including sleep studies that measure heart rate, brain waves, breathing, eye movement and oxygen levels.
Virtua also provides neurosurgery for those with disorders such as hydrocephalus or craniosynostosis, two problems unique to children that should be treated by a neurosurgeon with pediatric training.