When should a child see a neurologist?
Most families are referred after a child has had a seizure, is not meeting milestones at the expected age, has lost a skill they previously had, or has headaches that wake them at night. Recurrent unexplained episodes of staring, stiffening or jerking are also common reasons.
You do not need a referral letter to book. If you are unsure whether the concern is neurological, a general pediatric consultation is a reasonable starting point and can be redirected from there.
What happens during the consultation?
The consultation starts with a detailed history: pregnancy and birth, feeding, milestones, school progress, family history, and a careful account of the current concern. For episodes, the sequence matters more than the label, so expect questions about what happened immediately before, during and after.
This is followed by a general and neurological examination, including tone, power, reflexes, coordination, gait, head size and a developmental assessment appropriate to the child's age.
Will my child need tests?
Not always. Many children are diagnosed on history and examination alone. When investigations do help, they are chosen for a specific question rather than ordered as a routine panel, and the reasoning is explained before anything is arranged.
How to record a useful video of an episode
Parents consistently underestimate how much a short video changes the consultation. Descriptions of episodes are difficult to give accurately, partly because they are frightening and partly because the most diagnostic details are easy to miss. A recording removes that problem entirely.
Start filming as early as you safely can, once the child is out of danger, and keep recording into the recovery period, which is often as informative as the event itself. Film the whole child rather than zooming in on one limb, keep the face in view, and make sure the room is lit. Say the time aloud, and try calling the child's name and touching them so the recording shows whether they respond. Do not delete videos of earlier episodes even if they seem repetitive; a sequence over months shows change that a single clip cannot.
What a neurological examination involves
Parents sometimes expect equipment and are surprised that most of the examination is observation. A great deal is established simply by watching a child walk into the room, climb onto a chair, pick up a small object and interact with a parent.
The formal part assesses muscle tone and power, reflexes, coordination and balance, gait including walking on heels and toes, eye movements, facial movement, and head circumference plotted against a growth chart. For a younger child much of this is done through play, using toys and movement rather than instructions. Nothing in the examination is painful, and no needles are involved. Children who are anxious are given time to settle, and a child who refuses to cooperate on the day is not a wasted appointment, since a great deal has usually already been observed.
Preparing your child for the visit
Tell your child where they are going and, in simple terms, what will happen. Children cope far better with a doctor who will talk to us and watch you walk and play than with an unexplained appointment, and being told in advance that there will be no injection prevents a good deal of anticipatory fear.
Practical arrangements help: bring a snack and water, avoid scheduling over the usual nap where possible, and bring a favourite toy for a young child. If both parents hold different parts of the history, both attending is useful. Where a grandparent or nanny witnessed an episode nobody else saw, their account matters, so bring them or their description.
After the consultation
You should leave with four things clear: what the current thinking is, what if anything is being arranged and why, what to watch for at home, and when to return. If any of these is unclear, ask before leaving. Questions written down in advance are worth bringing, because consultations move quickly and the question people most wanted to ask is often remembered in the car afterwards.
Some concerns are settled in one visit. Many are not, because the trajectory over months carries information no single appointment can, particularly for developmental questions. A review appointment is therefore part of the assessment rather than a sign that something was missed.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to a child neurology appointment?
Bring the immunisation record, any earlier prescriptions or discharge summaries, previous EEG or MRI reports, school reports if there are learning concerns, and a phone video of the episode if one was recorded. A video is often the single most useful thing a parent can bring.
Do I need a referral to see a child neurologist?
No. You can book directly at Magical Minds Pediatric Clinic. If you have already seen another doctor, bring their notes so the assessment builds on what has been done rather than repeating it.
How long does the first consultation take?
A first neurology consultation is longer than a routine visit because the history and developmental examination take time. Plan for the appointment to run longer than a general pediatric check-up.
Will my child need an injection or a painful test?
No. The consultation itself involves talking, observation and a hands-on examination, none of which hurts. If an EEG is arranged later it is also painless, using sensors placed on the scalp with no needles and no radiation. It is worth telling your child in advance that there will be no injection, because many arrive expecting one and are too frightened to cooperate.
We have already seen two doctors. Is another opinion worth it?
Often yes, particularly where the diagnosis is unclear, where episodes continue despite treatment, or where you have not had an explanation you understood. Bring everything you have, including prescriptions, discharge summaries and reports, so the assessment builds on the previous work rather than repeating it. A second opinion sometimes confirms what you were told, which is itself a useful result.
Should I bring my child if the episodes have stopped?
Yes. Episodes that have settled still need to be characterised, because the type of episode determines whether recurrence is likely and whether anything should be done now. Bring any videos even if nothing has happened for months, since they remain the best record of what occurred.
Sources
Book an appointment
Consultations are by appointment at Huda, Sushant Lok 2, Sector 55, Gurugram. Tell us what is worrying you and the clinic will call you back.