Pediatric Neuroimmunology

Neuroimmunology conditions are autoimmune diseases that cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue in the brain and nervous system. Because these conditions cause a range of symptoms and issues, children who have them may require constant, supportive care.

If your child has a neuroimmunology condition, our Pediatric Neuroimmunology Specialty Care Center can help. Our doctors are experts in providing the care your child needs to manage all aspects of their physical, mental, and neurological health, helping them live to their fullest potential.

Why Choose Us for Neuroimmunology Care

• Comprehensive, team-based care: The experts at our center provide care for different aspects of your child’s health, all at one location. Our team includes specialists such as neurologists, rheumatologists, dieticians, physical therapists, and more.
• State-accredited: Ours is the only specialty center recognized by California Children Services for treating neuroimmunology conditions.
• Whole person care: Neuroimmunology conditions can affect many aspects of your child’s health and well-being. Our experts can help manage the physical, mental, and social effects that come with these conditions.
• Experts in research: As a leader in neuroimmunology research, we conduct clinical trials to find new ways to treat these conditions. In addition, we specialize in research and treatment for conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Conditions We Treat

Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of conditions where the immune system causes inflammation in the brain. This inflammation can lead to a range of physical, mental, and cognitive problems. Types of autoimmune encephalitis we treat include:

• NMDA receptor encephalitis, which occurs when the body produces antibodies that prevent parts of the brain from working correctly. This condition can cause swelling and inflammation.
• Limbic encephalitis, which refers to inflammation of the limbic system. The limbic system plays an important role in regulating behaviors and emotions. Limbic encephalitis often leads to a range of psychological symptoms, such as issues with short-term memory and seizures.

Demyelinating disorders are conditions caused by damage to the protective covering around certain brain and nerve cells. When this protection is damaged, nerve signals can slow or stop altogether, leading to a number of neurological symptoms. These symptoms can include loss of vision, loss of muscle function or problems with physical movement. Types of demyelinating disorders we treat include:

• Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, which is caused by a short period of inflammation in the brain that damages the protective covering around brain and nerve cells. It can sometimes be caused by certain infections.
• Multiple sclerosis, which damages the protective covering around cells and can cause permanent nerve damage.
• Neuromyelitis optica, which is a condition where inflammation affects eye nerves and vision.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia-syndrome is a condition where the immune system reacts to a tumor or virus, causing disruptions in the nervous system. Symptoms can include changes in limb and eye movement, behaviors, and sleep patterns.

Services We Provide

We put together teams of specialists to provide your child with a treatment plan personalized to their needs. Your child’s treatment plan could include a range of care options, depending on their overall health. These care options may include the following:

• Medication, which can help manage symptoms of a neuroimmunology condition, such as poor muscle control, involuntary muscle movements, or seizures. These medications include immunosuppression therapies (such as steroids) and immunomodulation therapies, which help reduce how severely your immune system attacks your brain and nervous system. We can also help with medications for psychiatric concerns.
• Physical therapy, which can help manage some of the mobility challenges of neuroimmunology conditions. Physical therapy can help with coordination, balance, and muscle stiffness to improve movement or talking.
• Occupational therapy, which focuses on helping your child go about their daily lives. We can provide support for these activities, including assistive tools and devices like wheelchairs or crutches.
• Diet support, which focuses on helping your child maintain a healthy diet or meeting your child’s formula needs, depending on their age. Diet support can also help manage the side effects of medications like steroids, which can cause weight gain.
• School and psychosocial support, which focuses on the cognitive and social effects of your child’s condition. We want both you and your child to be successful in life. With the help of a social worker, we can help with family stress issues, the challenges of caring for a child while maintaining a job and more. We can also help prepare for school-related concerns, such as developing individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans.

What To Expect

Insurance & Referrals

We accept most insurance plans, including Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and Medi-Cal.

Most insurances will require a referral from your primary care provider. If you’re not sure what your insurance requires, call us at 909-835-1810 and we’ll help you navigate the process.

Your First Visit

You and your child should plan on spending about half a day at our center during your first visit. Depending on your child’s needs, you may see anywhere from one to five healthcare providers. Each provider will ask you questions about your child’s condition and medical history, which will help them build a personalized treatment plan.

Before your visit, talk with your child’s current healthcare provider to make sure we have access to the following:

• Any MRI or imaging scan reports
• Results of lab work, including blood work and antibody panels
• Information about your child’s health before and after any treatment they’ve received

Take The Next Step

Our team is committed to helping your child reach their full potential with expert, compassionate care. Ask your pediatrician if our services can help or call us at 909-835-1810 to schedule an appointment today.