If your little one has weak muscles or delays in their motor development, it’s natural to wonder what to do next.
These signs sometimes point to one of many neuromuscular disorders in children. These disorders affect the parts of their nervous system outside of their brain and spinal cord, including the peripheral nerves and muscles. Symptoms may appear early in your child’s life — like possible delays in sitting and walking. Or symptoms may show up later in your child’s life, such as tripping and falling or weakness. If you’re noticing these things in your child, it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s neuromuscular experts are here to help. Our team will guide you through what to expect from diagnosis throughout your child’s care. We listen, answer your questions and help you and your child feel supported at every stage.
Our pediatric neuromuscular team includes neuromuscular neurology, as well as experts in cardiology, pulmonology, physiatry, genetics, physical and occupational therapy and other specialists. These providers are experts in caring for children with neuromuscular disorders. They work as a team, so your child receives personalized care and can take advantage of the latest therapies and clinical trials. We also offer treatments that our specialists have helped pioneer.
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, your child receives expert care throughout their life. This helps us guide your child’s care seamlessly into adulthood. Meet our team.
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Neuromuscular disorders in children come in many forms. They can affect your child’s development, making it harder to reach milestones or do everyday activities. Our team provides care for many pediatric neuromuscular conditions.
This includes various forms of muscular dystrophy like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD), Myotonic dystrophy and fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). We also treat:
If you notice signs of a neuromuscular disorder in your child, the next step is meeting with a specialist to find out what’s happening and how to help.
During your first visit, we’ll talk with you about your child’s overall health and the symptoms you’ve noticed. Their provider will do physical and neurological exams and may order more tests. Some testing might take place during that visit, while others may happen on another day. Your child may have:
We may also recommend genetic counseling and testing. This helps our team see whether your child’s condition is inherited (passed through one or both sides of the family) or caused by a change in their genes (mutation).
The results from your child’s physical and neurological exams and tests are important. They help us pinpoint what’s going on so we can make sure they get the best treatment possible.
Neuromuscular disorders affect kids in different ways. This means they may need to see healthcare providers from different areas. Your child’s care team works together to plan and manage your child’s care. It may include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Ohio.
We build your child’s care plan around their specific condition and how it affects them day to day. Many neuromuscular disorders are lifelong, so we focus on managing symptoms. We’re here to find the best ways to support your child’s long-term health and development.
Treatment may include medications or procedures that help manage physical problems or unexpected complications. We also offer different types of therapy to help your child get stronger and move, talk and swallow better. A registered dietitian can help you plan nutritious meals that encourage healthy growth. And our developmental and mental health experts guide your child in reaching milestones and understanding their psychological growth.
If your child has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) or Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), they may be eligible to receive the latest gene therapies. These therapies work by either changing a disease-causing gene or giving your child a working copy of that gene.
Gene therapies are often one-time treatments that let your child’s body make the proteins it needs to work properly and ease symptoms.
If your child shows signs of a neuromuscular disorder, we’re here to support you. Our team will work with your family to help your child gain as much independence as possible, build skills and grow confidence, so they can thrive at every stage of life.
Getting an appointment with one of our pediatric neuromuscular disorders experts is easy. We’ll help your child get care.
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