Pediatrics – Neurology

Our Team

Karl C.K. Kuban, MD, SMEpi
Chief

Karl Kuban brings depth and breadth in clinical care, research and teaching to his role as Chief of the Pediatric Neurology Division at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Kuban was resident training coordinator in Pediatric Neurology at both Children’s Hospital Boston, where he was on staff for 16 years, and at Tufts-New England Medical Center, where he was Associate Chief for 8 years. He has authored more than 70 original peer-reviewed publications, has created an interactive training CD/video for conducting a pediatric neurological examination, and has received awards for teaching and patient care.

As a medical student at the University of Miami, he gravitated naturally to pediatric neurology. “I was always fascinated by the mind and the nervous system,” Dr. Kuban says. “Once I began my medical school rotations, it became clear that children felt comfortable with me, and I felt comfortable with them, and I was attracted by the possibility of helping patients that had as yet such unfulfilled potential. As I finished medical school, CAT scanning became available, and, for the first time, we could easily obtain remarkable images of people’s brains. Looking back, it was amazing to have that unique diagnostic tool.”

Dr. Kuban completed his pediatrics training at Children’s Hospital Boston and his neurology training in the Longwood Area/Children’s Hospital Neurological Training Program.
“In the 25 years since completing my training, pediatric neurology has undergone an enormous evolution,” Dr. Kuban says. “As a result of imaging technology, major breakthroughs in genetics and many pediatric clinical drug trials, the field of pediatric neurology is flourishing. We do an enormous amount of good for our patients, from both a diagnostic and most importantly, therapeutic standpoint.” Although technology plays a key supporting role, Dr. Kuban says he and his colleagues emphasize the patient examination. “Technology doesn’t take the place of a thoughtful clinical evaluation,” he says. “The answer for most clinical problems is usually found in the patient’s history and examination, rather than in sophisticated laboratory testing. We take the time to listen, talk and explain, which is probably the most important thing that we do for our patients. As a Division, we have great strength in this area, and it is an essential component of the training we provide our residents.”

Dr. Kuban obtained a master’s degree in epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health and he has had a broad range of research interests, including ones focused on neonatal neurology, cerebral palsy, childhood stroke, autism and brain injury related to congenital heart disease. He currently serves as co-principal investigator for a multi-center NIH study looking at biological markers in the bloods of babies born under 28 weeks gestation. “We are investigating a variety of intrauterine factors that may contribute to risk of brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy and mental retardation, as well as to developmental delays, attentional problems, learning disabilities, and even autism,” he explains.

Dr. Kuban also serves as Director of the Division’s residency program. “We are here to inspire and support each trainee’s own creativity and, when needed, to help them carve out a niche,” he says, noting that the Division has no shortage of mentors. “We offer a nurturing, supportive environment that provides many opportunities for didactic learning as well much one-on-one teaching at ‘the beside’. Our hospital and our division offer an ideal setting for one to learn and to practice pediatric neurology.”

Academic Credentials

Administrative Title:
Chief, Division of Pediatric Neurology
Program Director, Pediatric Neurology Residency Program

Academic Appointment:
Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA

Medical School:
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL (1975)

Residency:
Pediatrics: Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (1977)
Neurology: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital and Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (1980)

Post Residency:
Cerebral Palsy Fellow; Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (1982)

Other Education:
Master of Science, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (1989)

Board Certification:
Pediatrics
Psychiatry and Neurology -Child Neurology

Special Interests:
Cerebral palsy, neonatal neurology, Tourette syndrome, motor disabilities, stroke, autism