Neurology

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) involves a brief but intense attack of inflammation (swelling) in the brain and spinal cord that damages the brain's myelin.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a neurologic condition that can cause muscle weakness and possible paralysis.

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare but serious condition that causes brain damage following a viral infection, most often influenza (the flu).

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) involves a brief, intense attack of swelling in the spinal cord that damages myelin.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare genetic condition that causes the buildup of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the brain.

Anencephaly is a condition present at birth that affects the formation of a baby's brain and the skull bones that surround the head.

AP-4-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia (AP-4-HSP) is a group of slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorders.

Apert syndrome, also known as acrocephalosyndactyly, is a genetic disorder that causes fusion of the skull, hands, and feet bones.

Apnea of prematurity refers to what happens when a child doesn’t breathe for more than 20 seconds.

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the nervous system and can cause a variety of neurological symptoms.

An arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is an injury to the brain or spinal cord caused by a lack of oxygen to the area affected.

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangle of arteries and veins in the brain that disrupt the normal flow of blood.

Atlantoaxial instability is a condition of too much mobility in the neck that can lead to spinal cord compression.

An atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a very rare, aggressive tumor of the central nervous system.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental issue where people have trouble paying attention and controlling impulses.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way your child develops and behaves.

Autoimmune disease is when the immune system mistakenly begins attacking healthy cells and tissues.

Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the three thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is the more dangerous form of meningitis.

Basilar invagination is a rare condition in which the top of the spine compresses the brain stem.

Batten disease is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the brain and nervous system.

Nocturnal enuresis, better known as bedwetting, occurs when a sleeping child cannot hold his or her urine at night.

A birth defect is a health problem or a physical abnormality.

Bowlegs (genu varum) is a condition in which a child’s legs curve outward at the knees.

A brain aneurysm is a weak point in a blood vessel within the brain.

A brain PET/CT scan is a safe, effective, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that provides highly detailed images of the brain.

A brain scan is a diagnostic imaging technique that provides images of blood flow in the brain. It can detect changes in blood flow within the brain that cannot be...

Childhood brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), but both types can be life-threatening.

Bullying is any kind of physical or verbal abuse of a child. It can have long-lasting effects on both the victim and the bully.

Cat scratch disease is caused by a bacterial infection carried in cat saliva. The bacteria are passed from a cat to a human after the cat licks its paws then...

CDKL5 disorder is a rare neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by early onset epilepsy, low muscle tone, and developmental challenges.

Cerebral arteriopathies are disorders that affect the arteries in the brain and are associated with an increased risk of stroke.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect muscle tone, posture, and movement as a result of damage to the brain of an infant.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but serious condition that is a cause of stroke in children and newborns.

Choroid plexus brain tumors develop in the tissue located in the spaces of the brain called ventricles.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a rapid acceleration of the brain.

Learn about congenital nevi in children from Boston Children’s Hospital. Find out about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for your child.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite toxoplasma gondii and is usually acquired by the parasite getting into the body by the mouth (for instance, by eating undercooked meat).

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic condition that affects development and growth.

Craniopharyngioma is a childhood brain tumor.

Deep brain stimulation therapy uses a small device similar to a pacemaker to send mild electrical pulses to the parts of the brain that are responsible for the involuntary movements.

A dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET) is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by developmental delays and learning disability.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and most severe type of muscular dystrophy.

Dyslexia is a reading and writing disorder.

Dysphagia is a term that means “difficulty swallowing.” It is the inability of food or liquids to pass easily from your child’s mouth, into the throat, and through the esophagus...

Eastern equine encephalitis is a virus that’s spread by the bites of blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitos and ticks.

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a neurophysiologic technique primarily used in the evaluation of epilepsy.

Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) are specific tests that help your child’s doctor see how his nerves and muscles are working.

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, which is often caused by an infection or an autoimmune response.

An ependymoma is a tumor that arises from cells that are found lining the ventricular system (areas of the brain or spinal cord where spinal fluid is found).

Epilepsy is a complex condition that makes a child susceptible to seizures.

Evoked potentials (EPs) measure electrical activity produced by external stimuli, like light flashes or sound clicks.

Facial nerve paralysis happens when a child cannot move muscles that control smiling and blinking, among other facial movements.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of abnormalities that occur in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy.

Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause a range of learning and developmental problems.

A ganglioglioma is low-grade tumor of mixed cell type.

Genetic disorders include certain types of birth defects, chronic diseases, developmental problems, and sensory deficits that are inherited from one or both parents.

A giant cell tumor is a benign solitary tumor that usually grows in the ends of long bones, and contains unusually large cells.

Glioblastoma multiformes (GBMs) are high-grade gliomas that arise from the brain’s supportive tissue (glial cells).

A glioma is a kind of brain tumor that originates from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.

Gliomatosis cerebri is a highly aggressive, rare form of malignant astrocytic tumor.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) occurs when the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.

Head injury is a broad term that describes many different types of conditions — ranging from bumps and bruises to concussions, skull fractures, and serious brain injuries.

Secondary headaches are caused by another medical condition. Primary headaches are most often migraine and tension-type headaches.

Heat-related illnesses happen when a person is exposed to abnormal or prolonged amounts of heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluids.

Hemifacial microsomia is a condition in which half of one side of the face is underdeveloped and doesn't grow normally.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a form of vasculitis, a condition that involves inflammation of the blood vessels.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) refers to a group of over 80 different genetic conditions that present with progressive spasticity (muscle tightness) and weakness.

Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint has not developed properly and the socket (acetabulum) is too shallow.

Infantile spasms, sometimes called West syndrome, are a type of seizure that occurs in babies.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding inside or around the ventricles — spaces in the brain that contain the cerebral spinal fluid.

KEBILIDI™ (eladocagene exuparvovec-tneq) is a gene therapy for AADC deficiency. It enables brain cells to make a working AADC protein needed for motor function.

A ketogenic diet (keto) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet used to treat a number of conditions, including epilepsy.

KIF1A-associated neurological disorder (KAND) is a set of genetic conditions caused by variants in the KIF1A gene.

Kleefstra syndrome is a rare condition that can cause developmental delay and intellectual disability.

Klippel-Feil syndrome is a rare spinal condition characterized by a short neck, low hairline, and limited neck mobility.

“Learning disorder” and “specific learning disability” refer to a neurodevelopmental problem in which a child of normal intellectual potential is encountering unusual difficulty with their academic functioning that cannot be...

A birthweight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces, is diagnosed as low birthweight.

Low-grade gliomas are brain tumors that originate from glial cells, which support and nourish neurons in the brain.

Lupus causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the body. It’s unpredictabe: It can affect many parts of the body at the same time.

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma is a cancer of immature cells of the immune system.

Macrodactyly is an uncommon condition in which a baby's toes or fingers are abnormally large due to the overgrowth of the underlying bone and soft tissue.

A malignant rhabdoid tumor is a rare childhood tumor that commonly starts in the kidneys but also can occur in other soft tissues or in the brain.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes the body's connective tissues to be weaker than they should be.

A medulloblastoma is a brain tumor located in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls complex motor functions.

Meningioma is a slow-growing and usually non-cancerous tumor that originates in the meninges, the membrane layer covering the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is a bacterial or viral infection that causes three thin layers of tissue that surround the brain and the spinal cord to swell.

Meningococcal infections are caused by a group of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.

In microcephaly, the brain develops abnormally, causing the head to be much smaller than expected for the child's age.

Mitochondrial disease is not a single disorder but an umbrella term for dozens of individual disorders in which the body’s cells have problems producing energy.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease is a relatively rare autoimmune condition.

Children with movement disorders have involuntary movements or trouble moving in the way they intend to.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is when the body's immune system reacts against the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Hypotonia is decreased muscle tone.

Muscular dystrophy is a general name for a group of rare diseases that cause muscle weakness. It is caused by mutations in certain genes.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes the muscles, especially in the eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs, to weaken after periods of activity.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a rare disease of the blood, only occurring in four out of every 1 million children.

Neonatal stroke is stroke in newborns between birth and 28 days.

Nervous system disorders can involve a range of conditions that may be chronic or may be triggered by secondary factors.

Neural tube defects happen when the tube fails to close completely before birth.

Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that begins in nerve tissue of young children.

Neurocritical care is a field devoted to protecting and treating the brains of critically ill and injured children.

Neurocutaneous syndrome is a broad term for a group of neurologic (brain, spine, and peripheral nerve) disorders.

Neurofibromatosis 1 is a genetic condition that causes symptoms including tumors (called neurofibromas) formed from nerve tissue.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic disorder that causes slow-growing tumors to develop on the eighth cranial nerve.

Neurogenic bladder is a urinary tract dysfunction in which the bladder doesn’t empty, properly due to a neurological condition or spinal cord injury.

Neurological diagnostic tests help physicians evaluate and diagnose damage to the nervous system — which consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves from these areas.

Neuromuscular scoliosis is one of three main types of scoliosis that cause an irregular curvature of the spine.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is when a child’s breathing is repeatedly blocked during sleep.

Oligodendrogliomas are low-grade gliomas, a type of brain tumor, that arise from a type of cell called an oligodendrocyte.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome happens when a small tumor or a viral infection triggers the immune system to attack the nervous system.

An optic nerve glioma (also called an optic pathway glioma) is a slow-growing brain tumor that arises in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

Optic neuritis (ON) involves an attack of inflammation (swelling) in your optic nerve.

Os odontoideum happens when a separation occurs at the top of the spine.

Osteoblastoma is a benign, bone-forming tumor that’s most often found in the lower vertebrae of the spine or long bones of the lower extremity.

PWS is an exceptionally rare congenital vascular anomaly that results in a child having a large number of abnormal blood vessels.

While childhood cancer is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring intensive treatment, the majority of pediatric cancers are treatable.

A neurological exam is a simple series of tests that allows your child’s doctor to watch your child nervous system in action so they can assess it.

Peripheral nerve injuries interfere with signals between the brain and other parts of the body.

Pfeiffer syndrome is a complex genetic disorder in which certain bones in the skull fuse early in their development.

PHACE is an associated collection of disorders characterized by a large infantile hemangioma on a child's face, scalp, and neck

Phelan-McDermid syndrome, also called 22q13 deletion syndrome, is a genetic disorder caused by deletion of part of chromosome 22 or a defect in a gene called SHANK3.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetically determined metabolic disorder that is highly treatable.

A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature. Slightly fewer than 12 percent of all babies are premature.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) and pineoblastoma are a group of tumors defined by their appearance and are thought to develop from primitive (undeveloped) nerve cells in the brain.

Rabies is a viral infection of certain warm-blooded animals (such as skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and bats) and is caused by a virus in the Rhabdoviridae family.

Also known as Rasmussen’s encephalitis, Rasmussen syndrome is a very rare form of chronic brain inflammation.

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes a loss of spoken language and motor skills, as well as behavioral and neurological problems.

Reye syndrome is a rare condition that affects the normal chemical balance in the body, resulting in potential damage to all organs, but primarily the brain and liver.

Rheumatic fever is a systemic immune disease that affects the joints, skin, heart, blood, vessels, and brain.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an infection caused by a type of bacteria carried by ticks.

Scabies is an infestation of mites.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to scarring of the skin, joints, and other internal organs.

Seizures happen when brain cells fire or “talk” too much, temporarily disrupting the brain’s normal electrical signals. They’re quite common, especially in infants and young children.

Spinal muscular atrophy is when muscles throughout the body are weakened because nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem do not work properly.

Stroke is a general term that is used to describe an injury to the brain caused by either bleeding (referred to as hemorrhagic stroke) or a lack of oxygen due...

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a rare neurological condition that is present at birth and is not hereditary.

Syncope is the medical term for fainting. It’s a temporary loss of consciousness that occurs when not enough blood goes to the brain.

A tectal glioma is a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor in the tectum, the roof of the brain stem.

Tetanus is an acute, sometimes fatal, disease of the central nervous system, caused by the toxin of the tetanus bacterium.

Thalamic and hypothalamic astrocytomas are tumors that develop in the brain’s glial or supportive tissues.

Thrombosis is a blood clot that develops within veins or arteries in the body.

Ticks are small insects that attach their bodies onto a human or animal host. Bites often occur at night and occur more in the spring and summer months.

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by multiple repeated, unintentional tics.

Torticollis, or wryneck, is a twisted neck. It’s relatively common in children.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by a blistering and peeling of the skin.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but life-threatening complication of bacterial infection or colonization.

Transient ischemic attacks are temporary deficits in neurologic function caused by a brief interruption of blood flow to part of the brain.

Treacher Collins syndrome is a genetic birth disorder characterized by the premature joining of certain bones of the skull during development.

A trisomy and a monosomy are types of numerical chromosome abnormalities that can cause certain birth defects.

Trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 are fatal genetic birth disorders.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic condition that causes tumors to grow in many different organs of the body.

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects females who have a missing or incomplete X chromosome.

Urinary retention is the inability to fully empty the bladder for longer than 12 hours.

Wilms tumor is a cancerous tumor in the cells of the kidney.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare genetic immunodeficiency that keeps a child's immune system from functioning properly.