When a child’s doctor recommends that the child sees a pediatric neurologist, it is because they suspect a disorder of the nervous system. Specializing in all types of nervous system disorders, some of the more typical neurological disorders and diseases we diagnosis and treat are: - Attention deficit, learning and processing disorders - [Autism spectrum disorders, PDD](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-special-kids-special-help/autism/autism-spectrum-disorders) - [Developmental delays](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/developmental-delay) - [Epilepsy and Seizures](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/epilepsy) - Headache and migraine disorders - [Head and Spinal Cord Trauma](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/head-and-spinal-cord-trauma) - Head shape or head size disorders - Infections or inflammatory processes - [Motor impairments: cerebral palsy, ataxias, hypotonia, and hypertonia](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/motor-impairments) - [Movement disorders: Tourette syndrome, other tic disorders, chorea, dystonia](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/pediatric-movement-disorders) - Neuromuscular disorders - Neurogenetic or hereditary disorders - Prenatal/Neonatal Neurology - Progressive neurologic disorders such as mitochondrial disorders, leukodystrophy - [Sleep disorders](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/sleep-disorders) ### Diagnosing Neurologic Conditions If a child is suspected of having a neurologic disorder, the doctor will perform a physical exam and take a detailed medical history. In addition, a number of tests may be ordered. These can include: .cta2{background-color:#f4efd9;} @media (max-width:768px) { .ctaThumb{padding:15px;} .cta2{background-color:#fff;} } ### Neurology (Pediatrics) - [Contact Us](#contact-us) - [Specialty Clinics](#specialty-clinics) - [Conditions We Treat](#conditions-we-treat) - [Diagnostics and Tests](#diagnostics-and-tests) - [Our Team](#our-team) - [Research Overview](#research-overview) - [Residency and Fellowship Information](#residency-and-fellowship-information) ## Contact Us [ 801 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02119 7th Floor BMC, Crosstown Center ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xHWq2RQhAjbdbTFd8) [617.414.4841](tel:617.414.4841) Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. [ ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/52184c85-c2c6-4047-b33d-aa7bf996c852/20140821ecBMC_1309?io=transform:fill,width:300,height:200&format=jpg) ](/visiting-us/crosstown-building) ## Specialty Clinics [### The Autism Program at Boston Medical Center The Autism Program at Boston Medical Center assists and empowers individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities through direct patient support, provider education, and community-based outreach. ](/pediatrics-autism-program) [### Cerebral Palsy Dr. Karl Kuban has special expertise in motor impairments, particularly those associated with cerebral palsy. Dr. Kuban received formal training as a cerebral palsy fellow at Children's Hospital Boston, and has more than 30 years experience caring for patients with this disorder. ](/pediatrics-neurology/motor-impairments) [### Concussion Clinic for Children A program providing pediatric concussion treatment, including evaluation and care for children with concussions and head injuries to help manage symptoms and support safe return to school and daily activities. ](/departments/concussion-clinic-children) [### Developmental Delay A child's development is delayed if he or she is lagging behind other children of the same age in one or more of the following areas: speech and language, motor skills, intelligence, attention span, learning in school, behavior and emotional control, and social skills. Many such children catch up, but not all, and in some cases further evaluation is needed so the best possible treatments can be offered. ](/pediatrics-special-kids-special-help/developmental-delay) [### Special Kids Special Help Pediatric neurodevelopment services to support children with epilepsy, autism, and developmental delay. The program connects parents with specialty clinics that support evaluation, therapy, and care planning tailored to each child’s unique needs. ](/departments/pediatric-specialty-care/special-kids-special-help) [### The Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Trauma Program Division of Pediatric Neurology work closely with many subspecialties available at BMC including: neurosurgery, orthopedics, intensive care team, epileptologists, sleep specialists, specialized services in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Vestibular therapy, Cognitive therapy, Ophthalmology, ENT, Feeding specialists, Nutrition and Psychology/Psychiatry services in the management of these children. ](/pediatrics-neurology/traumatic-brain-injury-and-spinal-cord-trauma-program) ## Conditions We Treat - [Epilepsy (Pediatric)](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/epilepsy-pediatric) - [Head and Spinal Cord Trauma](/patient-care/conditions-we-treat/db/head-and-spinal-cord-trauma) - [Pediatric Movement Disorders](/pediatrics-neurology/pediatric-movement-disorders) ## Diagnostics and Tests ### Electroencephalogram (EEG) An EEG is a test that measures and records the electrical activity in the brain. [Read more](/content/electroencephalogram-eeg) ### EMG (Electromyogram) Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test to evaluate the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. Motor neurons transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. [Read more](/content/emg-electromyogram) ### Multiple Sleep Latency Testing The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly a patient falls asleep in a quiet place during the day. It is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. [Read more](/content/multiple-sleep-latency-testing) ### Nerve Conduction Study A nerve conduction study measures how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals. [Read more](/content/nerve-conduction-study) ### Sleep Studies (Polysomnogram) Sleep studies, called polysomnograms, are used to diagnose sleep disorders. The test records a patient's brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements. [Read more](/content/sleep-studies-polysomnogram) ### Video EEG Telemetry A Video EEG test records brainwaves on an EEG and takes a video of what is going on at the same time. The purpose is to be able to see what is happening when a patient has a seizure or event and then compare the picture to what the EEG records at the same time. [Read more](/content/video-eeg-telemetry) ### CT Angiogram Computed tomography angiography (also called CT angiography or CTA) is used to visualize arterial and venous vessels in the body. These include arteries in brain and those that bring blood to the lungs, kidneys, arms and legs. [Read more](/content/ct-angiogram) ### MRA and MRV MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) or MRV (Magnetic Resonance Venography) is an MRI study of the blood vessels that is like and MRI and is noninvasive and painless. The test helps doctors diagnose medical conditions in the blood vessels. [Read more](/content/mra-and-mrv) ### Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan A PET scan is used to detect cellular reactions to sugar. Abnormal cells tend to react and "light up" on the scan, thus helping physicians diagnose a variety of conditions. For the PET scan, a harmless chemical, called a radiotracer, is injected into your blood stream. [Read more](/content/positron-emission-tomography-pet-scan) ### SPECT Scan A SPECT scan is a nuclear imaging test that uses a radioactive substance and a special camera to create 3-D pictures and examine how a patient’s organs are working. [Read more](/content/spect-scan) ## Our Team ### Pediatric Neurologists ### [Laurie M Douglass, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/laurie-m-douglass-md) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/37be86f1-2dd3-4851-a2c1-15553a0f04e0/Laurie-Douglass_50_2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Joshua T. August, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/joshua-t-august-md) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/4713e637-2e4b-401d-8b36-dfcfbc0ab523/Joshua-August-Headshot?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Jessica H. Chao, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/jessica-h-chao-md) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c1e8f9e2-b6da-4732-b3a3-1c08de4b6d34/Chao_Jessica_MD_Peds?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Yasmine H. Elhefnawy, MD, FAAP](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/yasmine-h-elhefnawy-md-faap) Pediatric Neurologist; Director, Pediatric Headache Program ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/2bcb73da-ea2f-4ae3-9de2-b346a36ff183/Yasmine-Elhefnawy-2x3?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Rinat Jonas, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/rinat-jonas-md) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/b0476d04-53ff-47b3-9ffb-9cc3d3c48937/Joans-Rinat-1?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Patrick D. Mabray, MD, PhD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/patrick-d-mabray-md-phd) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/79a7775a-4bd4-4b02-a67d-6f819aefee30/Patrick-Mabray__web?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### [Alcy R. Torres, MD](https://www.bmc.org/about-us/directory/doctor/alcy-r-torres-md) Pediatric Neurologist ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/b1f76729-5be7-4cdf-97e6-f33ed8be8264/Alcy-Torres_web?io=transform:fill,width:333,height:500&format=jpg) ### Additional Team Members **Christine Naoum, RN, MS** Nurse and Care Coordinator, Outpatient Neurology and Epilepsy Programs ## Research Overview ### The Role of Research The pediatric neurology faculty at Boston Medical Center is actively involved in basic science and clinical research. Division staff members have presented their work at meetings of the Child Neurology Society, the American Epilepsy Society, and the International Child Neurology Association, often in collaboration with pediatric neurology residents or medical students. The following is a selected list of research activities currently underway involving Pediatric Neurology Division faculty: - Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) study (NIH): molecular antecedents of brain damage (Kuban) - Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)/Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGAN) study (Douglass, Kuban, Rana) - Analyses about antecedent risks of CP and natural history of CP among ELGANs (Kuban) - Validation of bedside method for estimating intracranial pressure in term and preterm infants (Kuban, Torres) - Antecedent risks, clinical correlates, and natural history of congenital and acquired microcephaly among ELGANs (Kuban) - Association of MRI-based brain volumetrics with neurological and behavioral outcomes in ELGANs - The role of early exposure to inflammatory and neurotrophic proteins on changes in head size between birth and two years of age in ELGANs - Evaluating the association of MRI-identified white matter tracts and connectomes with volumetrics at 15 years with neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric outcomes in a large cohort of ELGANs (Kuban, Mabray) - Evaluating the association of traumatic head injury with alterations in MRI-identified white matter tracts and connectomes (Mabray, Torres) - Further clinical analyses in 406 cases of febrile seizures followed prospectively (Rosman) - Epilepsy in children born extremely prematurely (Douglass, Kuban) - Concussion Referrals in Pediatrics and Adolescents in the Urban Safety-Net Hospital (Torres) - Concussion Referrals for Urban Safety Net Hospital (Katz, Torres) - Impact of embedding a psychologist in a pediatric concussion program (Goldman, Torres) - Assessing factors associated with persistent post-concussion symptoms (Torres) - Multicenter description of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Patients treated with fluoxetine (Torres) - Controlled evaluation of ADHD in children with idiopathic epilepsy (Douglass) - Validation of a two step seizure screen in Spanish (Douglass, Torres, Jonas) - Pharmacological clinical trials in childhood epilepsy: Levetiracetam (Keppra), Lamotrigine (Lamictal) (DeBassio, Douglass, Montouris) - Causes and consequences of acquired microcephaly (Rosman) ## Residency and Fellowship Information Welcome to the [Child Neurology Residency Program ](https://www.bmc.org/pediatrics-neurology/residency-program)at Boston Medical Center! We are excited that you will be joining us in one of the most fulfilling and invigorating fields in medicine.