Child Neurology Assessment in Sharjah

What is a child neurology assessment?

A child neurology assessment looks at how a child's brain, nerves and muscles are working when something has raised a concern: an episode that looked like a fit, repeated headaches, sudden jerks or tics, or a developmental pattern with physical signs such as clumsiness or weakness on one side. Children are assessed differently from adults, because a normal finding at two years looks very different from a normal finding at ten.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the assessment brings together two doctors. A pediatrician from the pediatrics and neonatology team knows your child's general health, growth and milestones, and the hospital's neurologist brings expertise in seizures, headaches and movement. Where a child needs a dedicated pediatric neurologist, the team arranges referral to a specialist centre and stays involved in the rest of your child's care.

Who needs it

Parents usually come after one of these:

• A fit with a high temperature, often called a febrile convulsion, especially if it was long, affected one side, or happened more than once in the same illness
• Staring spells where the child "switches off" for a few seconds and then carries on as before
• Jerks on waking, unusual night-time episodes, or collapses with an unclear cause
• Headaches that wake the child, change in pattern, or come with vomiting in the morning
• Repeated blinking, sniffing, throat clearing or shoulder shrugging that comes and goes
• Loss of skills already learned, or clumsiness, weakness or walking changes alongside a developmental concern

Febrile convulsions are common between about six months and five years, and most children who have one grow out of them. A review after the first one gives parents a clear plan for next time. Children with milestone or growth questions and no neurological signs are usually best served first by a growth and development check.

What happens

The visit starts with the story. The doctor asks what happened before, during and after the episode, how long it lasted, what your child's colour and breathing were like, and how quickly they recovered. A phone video of an episode is often the single most useful piece of evidence, because doctors rarely see the event itself.

Next comes a play-based examination. For young children much of it looks like a game: reaching for toys, walking, hopping, following a light with the eyes. The doctor also checks head size, skin markings, reflexes, tone and strength, and plots growth on a chart.

Depending on the findings, tests may include:

• An EEG, a painless recording of brain activity from scalp sensors, with a parent in the room
• Brain imaging through radiology, such as an MRI scan; young children often need sedation to lie still, which is planned in advance
• Blood tests, for example for sugar, salts or iron

For a child with suspected epilepsy or a complex pattern, the neurologist and pediatrician agree a plan together and arrange referral to a pediatric neurologist or longer video-EEG monitoring at a specialist centre when it would help.

Preparing for it

• Record a video of any episode on your phone, once your child is safe
• Write down dates, times, what your child was doing, and whether they had a fever or were unwell
• Keep a headache diary for a few weeks: timing, sleep, meals, screens and water intake
• Bring the child's health record, vaccination card, school reports and any previous EEG or scan results
• Bring a favourite toy, snack and drink to keep a young child settled

Heat and dehydration are common headache triggers in UAE summers, and missed meals or late nights can lower the seizure threshold. Noting fluid intake and bedtimes in the diary often reveals a pattern.

Afterwards

You leave with an explanation of what the doctors think is happening and a written plan. That may include simple lifestyle steps, a medicine for a specific purpose, follow-up after test results, advice for school, or referral to a specialist centre. For a child with seizures, you receive a seizure first-aid plan to share with the school nurse and anyone who looks after your child. Families with relatives abroad often find a short written summary helpful to share.

Book a review if episodes become more frequent, headaches change, or your child has new difficulties at school.

Go to the children's emergency department or call emergency services immediately if a seizure lasts more than five minutes, if your child has a first seizure, if your child is floppy or unresponsive, or if your child has a stiff neck with fever. Place a child who is fitting on their side, keep them away from hard objects, and put nothing in their mouth.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE insurance plans cover pediatric and neurology consultations and an EEG requested by a doctor, and MRI with sedation often requires pre-approval. A referral to an outside specialist centre is usually approved separately. Call Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777 to check your child's cover before the visit.