Current Status Of Child Neurology In India
Child Neurologiest is a vital field of medicine that addresses the unique neurological needs of children. Child neurologists are dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and supporting children with neurological conditions, helping them reach their full potential. Through early intervention, specialized care, and a compassionate approach, child neurologiest plays a crucial role in nurturing young minds and improving the lives of countless children and their families.
Nearly 10% of the children attending paediatric OPD and 25% of children in paediatric ICU will have neurological problems.
Challenges and Gaps in Child Neurology Care in India
- Healthcare Challenges: India faces a weak healthcare system, widespread poverty, and inadequate manpower and resources, which contribute to a significant treatment gap in child neurologiest.
- Treatment Gap: There is a treatment gap of 20%–70% among children suffering from child neurological conditions.
- Limited Specialists: A shortage of child neurologists, combined with a high disease burden and poverty, leaves most neurological issues in children to be managed by general physicians or physicians without specialized training.
- Urban-Centric Services: child neurologiest services are primarily concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural areas underserved.
- Training Programs: Structured training programs, including DM and fellowship courses in child neurologiest, are now available at multiple centers in India, aiming to improve specialist availability.
Child’s nervous system is not the same as adult one. Unlike adult nervous system which is fully developed, in children nervous system is developing and hence pattern of neurological disorders and presentation of neurological diseases are entirely different from adults.Hence to provide the best care to children with neurological problems one need to consult child neurologist.
Child neurologiest is a subspeciality of pediatrics ,A previous survey by Singhi P &Singhi S in 1998 revealed availability of only few trained child neurologists in India. Last two decades have witnessed a steep rise of interest in child neurologiest. An Association of Child Neurology was formulated in 2002 in India which currently has 157 members.