Paediatrics

Description

The Paediatric neurology research program is broad and driven by a number of Child Health and Research Institute (CHRI) Scientists and a team of basic and clinical research coordinators under the direction of a project manager. Activities have focused on new therapy development for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, epidemiology of Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy and establishing research networks with peadiatric hospitals across Canada to monitor paediatric neuromuscular disease and gain a better understanding of Cerebral Palsy.  Other research includes clinical and molecular studies of neuro-genetic and neurometabolic disorders, studies using population databases on epidemiology and natural history of childhood epilepsy, quality of life in children with epilepsy and traumatic brain injury outcome.

Facilities:

  • A provincially designated Regional Epilepsy Surgery Centre (RESC) with a Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (CEP) that provides provides necessary investigations to determine candidacy for epilepsy surgery including facility for intracranial monitoring.
  • Diagnostic neurophysiology programs including EEG, video-EEG monitoring service, EMG and NCS. Dedicated multidisciplinary clinics for cerebral palsy, movement disorders, neurogenetic and neurometabolic disorders, Rett Syndrome and neuromuscular disease.
  • Regional Headache Clinic
  • Paediatric Physiatry consultation service and life long care clinic for those with CP, Spina bifida and other chronic neurologic conditions

Training Opportunities

Residents

During scheduled academic half-days, neurology residents will study paediatric neurology including the following sub-topics:

Core Topics

  • Approach to the floppy infant
  • Approach to the child with developmental delay or regression
  • Chromosomal abnormalities and inborn errors of metabolism
  • Neurocutaneous syndromes 

Special Topics

  • NSR: Developmental milestones, primitive reflexes and their significance
  • NSR: Neuroembrology – structures, primary neurulation, neuronal migration, stages of CNS development, cortical architecture layers, Brodmann’s areas
  • Neuropathology: Congenital anomalies of the brain and spinal cord

Neurology residents in PGY4 and 5 will complete three months of neuropaediatric training.

Graduating neurology residents will be experts in paediatric neurological disorders including:

  • Inborn errors of metabolism affecting the nervous system
  • Developmental abnormalities of the nervous system
  • Developmental delay and regression
  • Neurogenetic disorders

Neurosurgery residents will learn the following paediatric neurosurgical skills:

  • ventricular (pediatric) tap
  • repair of myelomeningocele
  • other spinal dysraphic states
  • tethered cord
  • cranial dysraphic states
  • synostosis repair

Learn more about CNS Residency programs.

Research Opportunities

If you are interested in conducting paediatric neurology research or are interested in assisting in ongoing research by our faculty, visit their bio pages for information on their specific research interests and how to get in touch.

Faculty

Neurologists

Neurosurgeons