If your child needs to see a neurologist, you may be under the assumption that you can just take them to any neurology doctor. However, when you ask what is the difference between adult and pediatric neurology you may be surprised at the answer.
Education
One main difference that the two have is the actual education involved. An adult neurologist has completed all of the requirements to become this specific type of doctor while a pediatric neurologist in NJ has taken an additional 2 years on average to study pediatrics. This allows the pediatric neurologist in NJ to better engage with child patients.
Focus
The focus of pediatric neurology in New Jersey vastly differs from the adult focus. Neurological disorders in children typically entail birth defects. This means that pediatric neurology in New Jersey focuses on symptoms that come on suddenly versus happening over time.
Age Differences
A pediatric neurologist in New Jersey will see patients that are under the age of 16 while adult neurologists see patients above that age threshold. If a pediatric neurologist in New Jersey has been seeing the patient since a child, they will refer them to an adult neurologist as soon as they turn 16.
Epilepsy
One of the main obstacles that kids face is pediatric seizures in New Jersey. This can be caused by any number of neurological disorders. Pediatric epilepsy in New Jersey can if severe enough, be fatal to the patient. The presence of pediatric seizures in New Jersey can also play havoc with learning. However, the neurosurgeon should be able to spot pediatric epilepsy in New Jersey before it becomes a major issue.
If you need to inquire more as to what is the difference between adult and pediatric neurology, contact Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures: Amor Mehta MD (Neurology + Epileptology) at their website.