Nervous System Disorders | Overview
What are nervous system disorders?
Nervous system disorders can involve a range of conditions that may be chronic or may be triggered by secondary factors. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It is made up of two major divisions:
- central nervous system: consisting of the brain and spinal cord
- peripheral nervous system: consisting of all other neural elements
In addition to the brain and spinal cord, principal organs of the nervous system include the following:
- eyes
- ears
- sensory organs of taste
- sensory organs of smell
- sensory receptors located in the skin, joints, muscles, and other parts of the body
What causes nervous system disorders?
The nervous system is vulnerable to various disorders and can be damaged by the following:
- trauma
- infections
- degeneration
- structural defects
- tumors
- blood flow disruption
What are the symptoms of a nervous system disorder?
The following are the most common symptoms of nervous system disorders. However, each child may experience symptoms differently and different disorders will cause different symptoms to occur. Symptoms may include:
- delays in developmental milestones
- increase or lack of growth in head size
- changes in activity, reflexes, or movements
- lack of coordination
- changes in level of consciousness or mood
- muscle rigidity, tremors, or seizures
- older children may also report persistent or severe headaches, loss of feeling or tingling, or visual changes
The symptoms of a nervous system disorder may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How we care for nervous system disorders
The Department of Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital is the oldest, largest, and best-known program in pediatric neurology in the world. U.S. News and World Report has ranked Boston Children's first in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery. The department includes child neurologists who specialize in almost all neurological disorders, including epilepsy, learning disabilities and other developmental disabilities, attention deficit disorders, sleep disorders, neuromuscular disorders, brain tumors, neurogenetic disorders, neonatal neurology, mental retardation and cerebral palsy, pediatric neuro-immunology, and pediatric multiple sclerosis and related disorders.
Nervous System Disorders | Programs & Services
Departments
Neurology
Department
The Boston Children’s Hospital Department of Neurology cares for infants, children, and adolescents with all types of neurologic and developmental disorders.
Neurosurgery
Department
Boston Children's Hospital - Department of Neurosurgery
Programs
Neurogenetics Program
Program
Boston Children's Hospital - Neurogenetics Program
Neuromuscular Center
Program
The Boston Children’s Hospital Neuromuscular Center cares for infants, children and teens with neuromuscular disorders.
Care for Children with Medical Complexity
Program
The Division of General Pediatrics strives to provide high quality care to children with medical complexity. Learn more from Boston Children’s Hospital.