Choose a pediatric brain and spine specialist

Advanced pediatric neurosurgical care

Your child’s health is your priority. It’s our priority too. Pediatric neurosurgeons at Ascension-affiliated children’s hospitals and sites of care provide advanced neurosurgical care for children with brain and spine conditions. We are here for your family, whether your baby is receiving care in our NICU for a congenital anomaly or your teen is affected by scoliosis, epilepsy, or brain and spine condition. You have a team of pediatric specialists dedicated to your child’s care. This may include neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and neuroradiologists.

Signs of a neurologic condition

A sudden or persistent headache, numbness or tingling in the limbs, or muscle weakness may be a sign that something is wrong. Our doctors and care teams provide neuro-diagnostic tests for neurological disorders. When surgery is needed, our experienced pediatric neurosurgeons listen to you and do our best to answer your questions. Then, we deliver a care plan that’s right for your child.

Pediatric neurosurgery conditions and treatments

Our pediatric neurosurgeons, many of whom are national leaders in their specific neurosurgical subspecialty, offer advanced treatment options for complex childhood conditions, including, pressure on the brain, brain tumor, brain or spinal cord defect, and trauma injury to the head and spine. We perform minimally invasive surgery when possible to treat:

• Brain tumor
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Scoliosis, an abnormal curve of the spine
• Spastic nerve and muscle conditions
• Spina bifida
• Swelling on the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Traumatic brain or spinal injury

Supportive care services are available to your family to help your child recover. At some Ascension sites of care, we provide pediatric rehabilitation therapy to support your child’s recovery care plan.

Emergency care for brain and spine injuries

In an emergency, our care teams deliver prompt care for brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurologic disorders. Because we’re more than emergency care, we help connect you to the right pediatric neuroscience specialist for follow-up care.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go to the nearest ER or call 911.

Common traumatic brain injury and concussion symptoms may include:

• Balance problems
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired, having no energy
• Fuzzy or blurred vision
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light

Spinal cord injury symptoms may vary — from having partial movement, to being unable to move arms or legs, or having loss of sensation. Signs that your child may have a spinal cord contusion or severe spinal cord injury, include:

• Bowel or bladder incontinence
• Burning in the arms or legs
• Electric-shock like sensations
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in the legs

Get a second opinion on your child's brain, spine or nerve condition

Getting a second opinion from a pediatric neurosurgeon provides more information about your child’s condition and may increase your confidence in your child’s care plan. Ask if a virtual visit is an option for your child’s consultation.

Related specialty care

• Development and medical genetics
• Developmental pediatrics
• Pediatric neurology
• Pediatric therapy
• Neurology - Epilepsy
• Neuropsychology