Pediatric Neurology

• Compassion and convenience: Ochsner Children's knows managing a neurological condition can be difficult for patients and their families, so we strive to make the process as seamless as possible. That’s why Ochsner Children's offers virtual visits for follow-up care, when appropriate. In addition, Ochsner Children's works with a diverse care team to care for children and ensure patients receive the support they need. This team includes a neuropsychologist, pediatric social worker, dietitians and Certified Child Life Specialists.

• Innovative treatments: Ochsner Children's uses the latest technology and techniques to care for patients. One example is the ROSA robotic system, which helps the team determine where to place electrodes in the brain to pinpoint the source of seizures in patients with epilepsy. As a result, Ochsner Children's may be able to cure epilepsy by removing the part of the brain causing the seizures.

• Research to bring more treatment options to patients: The Ochsner Children's team participates in research that is shaping the future of pediatric neurology.

Our pediatric neurology specialists treat a wide range of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and nerves, including:

• Brain tumors

• Cerebral palsy

• Cerebrovascular disease, including stroke

• Fetal neurology disorders, including seizures

• Functional neurological disorders

• Headaches and migraines

• Hypotonia: Poor muscle tone

• Movement disorders, including tics and Tourette syndrome

• Neurofibromatosis: Development of nervous system tumors, which are usually noncancerous

• Neurometabolic disorders

• Neuromuscular disorders, including muscular dystrophy

• Seizure disorders, including pediatric epilepsy

• Tuberous sclerosis: Development of noncancerous tumors in the brain and other parts of the body

The Ochsner Children's pediatric neurology team provides comprehensive care and treatments to patients with neurological conditions, such as:

• Botox treatment for chronic migraines

• Dietary treatment of seizures using the ketogenic diet, which focuses on restricting carbohydrates

• Medication therapy for a wide range of neurological disorders

• Surgical procedures, in partnership with pediatric neurosurgeons, including laser ablations and resections for epilepsy and brain tumors

• Vagus nerve stimulation: The use of a pacemaker-like device to send electrical pulses to the brain to treat seizures

• Various types of nerve blocks: Injections to manage pain from headaches and migraines

Physicians at the Ochsner Pediatric Headache Clinic work with children and adolescents with headache and migraine disorders which can be debilitating and affect daily activities and school performance. The Ochsner Children's team develops long-term treatment plans that treat headaches and their associated symptoms and improve headache frequency and quality of life.

Treatments may include oral medications for treatment and prevention of headaches, as well as specialized clinic procedures for long-term migraine, including Botox injections and specialized nerve blocks. Ochsner Children's collaborates with inpatient pediatric hospitalist teams when kids may need to be admitted for more intensive treatments. Ochsner Children's also works with Ochsner pediatric psychologists to host a monthly multidisciplinary clinic for chronic headaches, where the team integrates pain coping mechanisms, stress reduction and relaxation techniques into a comprehensive headache treatment plan.

Many pediatric neurological disorders are complex and require the expertise of a diverse care team. Our Ochsner Children's team includes pediatric neurologists who specialize in epilepsy and headache. The pediatric neurologists partner with pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric gastroenterologists, specialists in epilepsy, dietitians and many other team members to develop the best treatment plan for each patient.

If your child requires care from multiple specialties, the Ochsner Children's team collaborates across departments. For example, in the Ochsner Children's functional neurology clinic a pediatric neurologist works with a pediatric psychologist to provide comprehensive care. 

Ochsner Children's Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital for kids in Louisiana for the fifth consecutive year, according to the 2025-2026 Best Children's Hospital rankings by U.S. News & World Report. For the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Ochsner Children's Hospital among the Top 50 Children’s Hospitals in the country. 

Autism spectrum disorder is one of many conditions pediatric neurologists treat. Your child’s pediatrician and other members of their medical team can help decide whether seeing a pediatric neurologist would be beneficial.

A variety of symptoms may warrant seeing a pediatric neurologist, including chronic headaches, seizures, developmental delays, muscle weakness and problems with movement. Notify your child’s pediatrician of any concerning symptoms. He or she may refer your child to a pediatric neurologist.

Yes. The majority of children with epilepsy eventually stop having seizures by the time they reach adolescence.