Pediatric Neurology

Advanced care for growing nervous systems

The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH) at Maine Medical Center is home to an exceptional depth and breadth of pediatric neurology diagnostic and treatment expertise. We are Maine’s only hospital with board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric neurologists, epileptologists (epilepsy specialists) and neurosurgeons. Our multidisciplinary care team uses the latest advances in research and technology to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of pediatric neurologic disorders.

Specialty Clinics

We also offer several specialty clinics dedicated to the comprehensive care of children with neurological conditions such as:

Program Highlights

Our pediatric neurology program offers:

A coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to care that includes the referring physician and family members

Dedicated education and support resources for patients and their families, including specialized neurology Patient and Family Liaisons who provide expert, personalized support throughout the continuum of care

Access to clinical trials and research studies that are advancing the field of pediatric neurological care

Conditions Treated

Medical Conditions

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

Cerebral palsy

Chiari malformation

Epilepsy and other seizure disorders

Hydrocephalus

Intellectual disabilities

Leukodystrophies

Malignant and non-malignant brain tumors

Mitochondrial diseases

Motor and speech/developmental delays

Moyamoya disease

Muscular dystrophy

Narcolepsy

Neurogenetic and neurometabolic conditions

Neuroimmunologic disorders including: multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Guillain-Barre syndrome, and paraneoplastic disorders of the nervous system

Neuromuscular disease including: myopathy, muscular dystrophy, peripheral neuropathies, and myasthenia gravis

Pediatric migraine/headaches

Spina bifida

Stroke

Tic disorders, Tourette syndrome and other movement disorders

Services Offered

Our pediatric neurologists are on the leading edge of medical and technological advances for treating children with neurological conditions. Services include:

Botulinum toxin (Botox) therapy for such conditions as spasticity and dystonia
Intrathecal baclofen pump (IBP) management to help decrease spasticity related to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries and other neurological diseases
Referral and co-management for surgical conditions with Maine’s only pediatric neurosurgeon
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)

We offer advanced diagnostic capabilities to perform comprehensive evaluations for pediatric patients such as:

State-of-the art MRI services, bi-plane cerebral angiography, nuclear medicine investigation and MR spectroscopy
Electroencephalogram (EEG) to record the brain's electrical activity and help distinguish types of seizures and where in the brain they begin
Ambulatory EEG to help distinguish epileptic seizures from non-epileptic seizures by monitoring brain activity over several days
Electromyography (EMG) in adolescent patients
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in adolescent patients

Our colleagues in developmental and behavioral pediatrics help to evaluate and manage these disorders as well as autism spectrum disorders.