Understanding your child’s symptoms starts with a careful assessment. MPGCARE helps organise pediatric neurology consultations at Medical Park and Liv Hospital in Türkiye. The hospital team determines the diagnosis, necessary tests and care plan; MPGCARE coordinates appointments and travel enquiries.

Three different assessment pathways

Pediatric neurology assesses the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Developmental assessment examines movement, language, learning, social interaction and everyday skills, often with several specialists. Epilepsy assessment focuses on possible seizures and their causes. These pathways may overlap, but they are not interchangeable.

Conditions and concerns assessed

Reasons for specialist assessment may include epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, speech delay, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), neuropathies, migraine, tic disorders, movement disorders. Developmental concerns are assessed with the appropriate multidisciplinary team; the examination determines which specialty and tests are needed.

Epilepsy and suspected seizures

Focal seizures, absence seizures and other seizure types require history, examination and, when indicated, EEG. A normal EEG does not rule out epilepsy; sleep or video-EEG may be considered if uncertainty remains. MRI may be requested to investigate a structural cause, according to the epilepsy type and findings. A single seizure does not automatically mean epilepsy, and a febrile seizure is not the same as epilepsy.

Autism spectrum disorder

Assessment considers communication, social interaction, behaviours and developmental history, with observation and parent/school information. A multidisciplinary developmental or autism team may include child psychiatry and psychology. EEG, MRI and blood tests do not diagnose autism and are not routine solely because autism is suspected. EEG is considered if seizures are suspected; genetic testing may be appropriate with intellectual disability, congenital differences or other specific findings.

Developmental delay, speech delay and loss of skills

Milestones, hearing, vision and neurological examination guide assessment. Speech/language, psychological or developmental testing may be needed. Genetic, metabolic or MRI investigations are selected for the clinical findings, not ordered for every child. Loss of previously acquired skills needs prompt medical assessment and should not wait for travel.

Cerebral palsy and motor difficulties

Assessment includes birth history, muscle tone, posture, movement and functional abilities. MRI can help investigate the cause when it is unclear. Rehabilitation assessments may guide physiotherapy and support. EEG is considered for accompanying suspected seizures, not as a routine test for cerebral palsy.

Muscle and nerve disorders

Muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and neuropathies can cause weakness or motor difficulties. Depending on examination, tests may include creatine kinase (CK), targeted genetic tests and nerve-conduction studies/EMG. These tests are not all needed in every child. Sudden weakness or breathing/swallowing difficulty requires urgent assessment.

Headache, migraine, tics and movement disorders

Headache history, a symptom diary and neurological examination are central to migraine assessment; imaging is not automatically necessary. Tics and unusual movements are assessed by history, examination and, when safely available, video. EEG is considered when events may be seizures; MRI or other tests depend on abnormal findings. Sudden severe headache or new neurological symptoms needs urgent care.

Routine appointment or emergency?

Stable longstanding symptoms, planned second opinions and review of known conditions can be arranged as outpatient appointments. For a first ongoing seizure, a seizure lasting 5 minutes or longer, repeated seizures without recovery, breathing difficulty, persistent reduced consciousness, sudden weakness or severe headache with fever/neck stiffness, call local emergency services and seek care nearby. Do not wait for an MPGCARE reply or travel abroad. A first suspected seizure that has stopped still needs prompt local medical assessment.

Do we need EEG and MRI records?

If already performed, prepare the dated EEG report and original tracing/video-EEG files when available, plus the MRI report and full DICOM images. Include previous specialist letters, discharge summaries and genetic/laboratory results. Do not arrange new EEG or MRI solely to submit an enquiry; the physician decides what is needed. Ask about file format, translation and secure transfer. MRI sedation, if needed, requires a separate assessment and hospital instructions.

What information is requested before consultation?

Prepare age, birth/pregnancy history, symptom onset and frequency, milestones and any loss of skills, current diagnoses, family history, allergies and medicines with doses. For episodes, note duration, fever, awareness, movements and recovery. Videos can help only if recorded safely; caring for the child comes first. Include school/therapy assessments and your main questions. Initial record review does not replace examination or establish a final diagnosis.

Treatment and follow-up in your home country

Treatment depends on diagnosis and may involve medicines, rehabilitation, developmental/educational support or referral to a specialist epilepsy centre. Recovery or seizure freedom cannot be guaranteed. Do not change medicines without the treating physician. Follow-up at home may be possible if a local clinician agrees to take responsibility and receives the written plan, results, medicine list, monitoring schedule and emergency instructions. Confirm medication availability, remote review limits and when another visit is needed before travelling.

Plan your child’s consultation

Confirm the receiving hospital, specialist, available EEG/MRI services, interpreter needs, required visits and the written scope of assessment. Contact MPGCARE for appointment coordination; medical decisions and emergency care remain the responsibility of clinical teams.

Medical information sources: Liv Hospital · NICE: EEG/MRI · NICE: Autism · NHS