Neurological Examination for Children

What is a neurological examination?

A neurological examination, also called a neuro exam, is an evaluation of your child's nervous system that can be performed in the doctor's office. It may be performed with instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers, and usually does not cause any pain to the child.

Doctor check knee reflex on child

The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves from these areas. There are many aspects of this examination, including an assessment of motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, mental status (the child's level of awareness and interaction with the environment), reflexes, and functioning of the nerves. The extent of the examination depends on many factors, including the initial problem that the child is experiencing, the age of the child, and the condition of the child.

Why is a neurological examination performed?

A complete and thorough evaluation of your child's nervous system is important if there is any reason to think there may be an underlying problem, or during a complete physical.

Damage to the nervous system can cause delays in the child's normal development and functioning and early identification may help to identify the cause and decrease long-term complications. A complete neurological examination may be performed:

  • During a routine physical

  • During a newborn physical

  • To follow the progression of a disease

  • Following any type of birth defect to the head or spine

  • If the child has any of the following complaints:

    • Headaches

    • Blurry vision

    • Change in behavior

    • Fatigue

    • Change in balance or coordination

    • Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

    • Decrease in movement of the arms or legs

    • Injury to the head, neck, or back

    • Temperature of unknown source

    • Seizures

    • Slurred speech

    • Weakness

    • Tremor

What is done during a neurological examination?

During a neurological examination, your child's doctor will "test" the functioning of the nervous system. The nervous system is very complex and controls many parts of the body. The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, 12 nerves that come from the brain, and the nerves that come from the spinal cord. The circulation to the brain, arising from the arteries in the neck, is also frequently examined. In infants and younger children, a neurological examination includes the measurement of the head circumference. The following is an overview of some of the areas that may be tested and evaluated during a neurological examination:

  • Mental status. Mental status (the child's level of awareness and interaction with the environment) may be assessed by watching the infant interact with the parent, or by asking the older child to follow directions or answer questions appropriately. The older child will also be observed for clear speech and making sense while talking. This is usually done by your child's doctor just by observing the child during normal interactions.

  • Motor function and balance. This may be tested by having the older child push and pull against the doctor's hands with his or her arms and legs. The child may be asked to squeeze fingers or hop, skip, or jump. Balance may be checked by assessing how the child stands and walks or having the older child stand with his or her eyes closed while being gently pushed to one side or the other. Your child's joints may also be checked simply by passive (performed by the doctor) and active (performed by the child) movement.

  • Sensory examination. Your child's doctor may also perform a sensory test that checks your child's ability to feel. This may be done by using different instruments: dull needles, tuning forks, alcohol swabs, or other objects. The doctor may touch the child's legs, arms, or other parts of the body and have him or her identify the sensation (for example, hot or cold, sharp or dull).

  • Newborn and infant reflexes. There are different types of reflexes that may be tested. In newborns and infants, reflexes called infant reflexes (or primitive reflexes) are evaluated. Each of these reflexes disappears at a certain age as the infant grows. These reflexes include:

    • Blinking. An infant will close his and her eyes in response to bright lights.

    • Babinski reflex. As the infant's foot is stroked, the toes will extend upward.

    • Crawling. If the infant is placed on his or her abdomen, he or she will make crawling motions.

    • Moro's reflex (or startle reflex). A quick change in the infant's position will cause the infant to throw the arms outward, open the hands, and throw back the head.

    • Palmar and plantar grasp. The infant's fingers or toes will curl around a finger placed in the area.

  • Reflexes in the older child. These are usually examined with the use of a reflex hammer.

    The reflex hammer is used at different points on the body, such as the knee or elbow, to test numerous reflexes, which are noted by the movement that the hammer causes.

  • Evaluation of the cranial nerves. There are 12 main nerves of the brain, called the cranial nerves (CN I-XII). During a complete neurological examination, most of these nerves are evaluated to help determine the functioning of the brain:

    • Cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve). This is the nerve of smell. Your child may be asked to identify different smells with his or her eyes closed.

    • Cranial nerve II (optic nerve). This nerve carries vision to the brain. A visual test may be given and your child's eye may be examined with a special light.

    • Cranial nerve III (oculomotor). This nerve is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. Your child's doctor may examine the pupil (the black part of the eye) with a light and have your child follow the light in various directions.

    • Cranial nerve IV (trochlear nerve). This nerve also helps with the movement of the eyes, in combination with CN VI. 

    • Cranial nerve V (trigeminal nerve). This nerve allows for many functions, including the ability to feel the face, inside the mouth, and move the muscles involved with chewing. Your child's doctor may touch the face at different areas and watch your child as he or she bites down.

    • Cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve). This nerve helps with the movement of the eyes. Your child may be asked to follow a light or finger to move the eyes.

    • Cranial nerve VII (facial nerve). This nerve is responsible for various functions, including the movement of the muscles of the lower face and taste from the front of the tongue. Your child may be asked to identify different tastes (sweet, sour, bitter), asked to smile, move the cheeks, or show the teeth.

    • Cranial nerve VIII (acoustic nerve). This nerve is the nerve of hearing. A hearing test may be performed on your child.

    • Cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal nerve). This nerve is involved with taste and swallowing. Once again, your child may be asked to identify different tastes on the back of the tongue. The gag reflex may be tested.

    • Cranial nerve X (vagus nerve). This nerve is mainly responsible for the ability to swallow, the gag reflex, some taste, and part of speech. Your child may be asked to swallow and a tongue blade may be used to elicit the gag response.

    • Cranial nerve XI (accessory nerve). This nerve is involved in the movement of the shoulders and neck. Your child may be asked to turn his or her head from side to side against mild resistance, or to shrug the shoulders.

    • Cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve). This nerve is responsible for movement of the tongue, along with CN IX and X. Your child may be instructed to stick out his or her tongue and speak.

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