NEUROLOGY
Expert, Innovative Care for Newborns, Children & Adolescents
A pediatric neurologist has completed a residency in pediatrics and had additional training in adult and child neurology. All our pediatric neurologists have certification or are eligible for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (with special qualifications in child neurology). Our group also has pediatric neurologists with Board certification in Clinical Neurophysiology (Epilepsy and Neuromuscular diseases), Palliative Care, and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities.
Pediatric neurologists combine the expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, muscles, nerves) with an understanding of medical disorders in childhood and the special needs of the child and their family. In many cases, pediatric neurologists work as a team with pediatricians or other primary care doctors. In addition, pediatric neurologists may work with other pediatric specialists to care for children with more complex or serious medical issues, such as epilepsy, birth defects, or developmental delay.
CHOC Children’s Hospital Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is recognized by the NAEC as a Level 4 epilepsy center. Level 4 epilepsy centers have the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
The following conditions may be best treated by a pediatric neurologist:
- Epilepsy and seizures — including intensive long term video EEG monitoring for epilepsy and related disorders
- Motor system disorders — including tics, Tourette’s Syndrome; neuromuscular diseases, including congenital myopathies, muscular dystrophy, hypotonia and other genetic muscular disorders; and cerebral palsy
- Headaches with neurological findings or patients who have failed first line medications
- Developmental and behavioral disorders — including learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental disorders and autism
- Neurogenetic and neurometabolic disorders — including neurodegenerative diseases such as mitochondrial disorders, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Rett’s Syndrome and Down Syndrome
- Neuroimmunological disorders — including dermatomyositis and post-infectious encephalopathy
- Neurological aspects of head injuries, brain tumors, brain malformations, and hydrocephalus
- Complications of central nervous system infection
State-of-the-Art Pediatric Sleep Disorders & Neurophysiology Center
Leading-Edge Neurodiagnostic Services
The CHOC Children’s Specialists Neurology team is fully equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment:
- Routine and 24-hour EEG videotelemetry for monitoring of status epilepticus, pseudoseizures and neonatal seizures
- Evoked potentials including intraoperative recording
- MRI and MRA
- Pediatric Intracranial Angiography
- Transcranial doppler
- Cranial ultrasound
- EMG and nerve conduction studies
- Polysomnography with or without epilepsy monitoring and intensive gastrointestinal cardiac or pulmonary evaluation
- Neuropsychological and psychological evaluation
CHOC Children’s Specialists Neurology
Announcements
Dr. Ira Lott provides access to specialist services for underserved communities via telemedicine
Dr. Tallie Z. Baram leads study uncovering the molecular mechanism triggering adult epilepsy
Please note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
Helpful Links and Organizations
CHOC Children’s Neuroscience Institute
UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Neurology
Orange County American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 4
Neurology Referrals
- Neurology Research
Neurology
Physician Listing
- Donat, Jane - M.D.
- Donnelly, Joseph H. - M.D.
- Elbalalesy, Naser M. - M.D.
- Fernandez, Amanda - M.D.
- Galion, Anjalee - MD
- Ismail, Habib A. - M.D.
- Kim, Sharon - M.D.
- Lott, Ira T. - M.D.
- Patel, Sonal - MD
- Peng, Ying - MD
- Schneider, Sanford - M.D.
- Taraman, Sharief - M.D.
- Totoiu, Minodora - M.D.
- Tournay, Anne - M.D.
- Tran, Lily - M.D.
- Zupanc, Mary - M.D.
specialties
- Allergy and Immunology
- Cardiology
- Clinical and Biochemical Genetics
- Critical Care
- Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Hematology
- Hospitalist
- Infectious Disease
- Metabolic Disorders
- Neonatology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
- Pediatric Surgery
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
