A neurological disorder or disease affects the central and peripheral nervous system. According to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, a child's complex and vulnerable nervous system can be damaged by traumas, infections, heredity and tumors, among other things. Some pediatric neurological disorders are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. There is considerable variation among the symptoms of different pediatric neurological disorders, but the most common ones include developmental delays, increase in the growth of head size, severe headaches, seizures, lack of coordination, muscle rigidity, and changes in mood or level of consciousness.
Accidents
Accidents are common causes of neurological disorders in children. These include motor vehicle and near-drowning accidents. Near-death drowning accidents that decrease oxygen to the brain commonly result in hypoxia. The symptoms of this neurological disorder include memory loss and learning difficulties. Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by motor vehicle accidents, and often result in problems in memory and language, says the Mayo Clinic.
Infections
Neurological disorders that are caused by infections affect millions of children around the world, according to the World Health Organization. Some of them, such as malaria and Ebola, are quite rare in developed countries. Yet infectious diseases that damage the nervous system are diagnosed in the United States every year. Among these are meningitis and encephalitis. Acute viral encephalitis most commonly affects children and young adults. Many neurological infections can be prevented by vaccinating people, and in some cases, domestic animals. For example, rabies has become rare among people ever since the widespread vaccination of domestic dogs started in the United States, says the World Health Organization.
Genetics and Environment
According to the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, some pediatric neurological disorders are present at birth because they are congenital. Some are inherited neurological disorders. Such conditions include cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, anencephaly and autism. Congenital neurological disorders can be caused by prenatal exposure to toxins such as alcohol, nicotine and lead. The duration and the time at which the exposure happens determine what kind of neurological damage certain chemicals cause.
