After undergoing numerous tests during the first period of his life, Finley was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months old.
Brain injury in babies and children
- Neurologists and neurosurgeons dedicated to paediatric care
- See a consultant in as little as 24 hours
- Multi-skilled teams delivering wrap-around support
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Brain injury in babies and children at HCA Healthcare UK
Why choose us?
We believe that working in collaborative, multi-talented teams delivers the best possible outcomes for the children in our care who have suffered a brain injury.
With HCA UK, your child will be supported by an exceptional team of consultants, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, clinical nurse specialists and therapists, working alongside each other to provide all the personalised treatment and wrap-around support that both your child and your family may need.
Cerebral hypoxia is a condition that develops when your child’s brain doesn’t get enough oxygen to function properly.
The most common reason for this is head trauma caused by a fall, assault or road traffic accident. The brain can also become starved of oxygen as a result of suffocation, choking or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Because our brains are so dependent on oxygen, when it’s reduced for a period of time, brain cells can begin to die. In some cases, this can leave your child in need of life support. If this happens to your child, our teams are here for you with both the urgent and long-term specialist help they may need.
Complications during childbirth such as a pinched umbilical cord are often the cause. Premature babies can also be at risk of cerebral hypoxia if their lungs have not had enough time to develop, meaning they can’t breathe on their own and get enough oxygen to their brain.
Your child’s symptoms will depend on their particular injury and its severity. Some of the symptoms of brain injuries include:
- A change in eating or sleeping habits
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Unusual irritability
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Difficulty concentrating
- Weakened limbs
- Seizures - uncontrollable jerky movements or sensations
In the most severe cases, cerebral hypoxia can cause a deep coma or even a permanent lack of consciousness that looks like sleep.
No. 1
The only UK private hospital dedicated to treating women and children
40,000+
babies, children and young people cared for each year
9
level 3 intensive care beds for the highest levels of care
Specialist treatments for complex conditions
We focus our breadth of expertise on your child
Exceptional facilities
The UK's only private Paediatric Acute Neurological Rehabilitation Centre
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours*.
Concerned that your child might have a brain injury?
See a paediatric neurologist and get an expert diagnosis.
Have a referral and need to book?
If you already have a referral letter for your child, it couldn’t be simpler. You can book a test or treatment directly.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a paediatric neurologist and the expert, personalised care your child needs.
Cerebral hypoxia tests and scans at HCA UK
A detailed and accurate diagnosis
Your consultant will need detailed images of your child's brain to analyse its structures and assess the extent of the injuries. Advanced technologies, such as an EEG, can record your child’s electrical brain activity to assess trauma and any changes in how your child’s brain is functioning. SPECT CT scans can check the brain for blood flow and metabolism too while Evoked Potential tests evaluate your child’s visual, auditory and sensory pathways.
Your consultant will recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests based on the severity of your child’s condition:
Cerebral hypoxia treatments at HCA UK
Specialist advice and tailored care
Our focus is on giving your child the best chance of a healthy, happy and full life. For brain injuries that need managing on a long-term basis, our expert teams will come together to provide the integrated treatment and support that your child and your whole family will need.
Your child and family are the heart of all the care, treatment and careful discharge planning that our rehabilitation programmes involve. We’ll consider your cultural and spiritual beliefs, as well as values and lifestyle to help create a plan that really works for you.
Your child’s rehabilitation programme will be led by an experienced key worker offering you a single, reassuring and informed point of contact. It may include:
- Patient-led goal setting such as planning for discharge, ongoing support and education
- Regular discussions, called case conferences, between your child, family, consultant and key team members
- Ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, physiotherapists and clinical nurse specialists
- Highly specialised brain surgery , also known as neurosurgery
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance for your child to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote from the start, outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
FAQs
Our specialists work as one in collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams to deliver the best possible clinical and rehabilitation outcomes for your child. Our consultants, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, clinical nurse specialists and therapists, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, music therapists and psychologists, bring together our expertise in a range of skills.
Working alongside each other, they can provide all the joined-up treatment and wrap-around support your child may need.
- Pick-up and drop-off options: Visitors can pick up and drop off patients at the main entrance. No parking is allowed as the driveway is for emergency vehicle access.
- Local parking: There’s no on-site parking and street parking isn’t permitted on a single yellow line between Monday and Saturday, from 8.30am to 6.30pm. However, national and private car parks are available nearby. Please contact the admissions team if you need help to find a local car park near to the hospital.
- Disabled parking: Westminster Council operates a small number of disabled parking bays near the hospital, available to Blue Badge holders for up to four hours. The nearest one is on the corner of Bolsover Street, next to Tesco Express.
At The Portland Hospital, we have open visiting. However, we recommend that visitors leave by 10pm. If your child is staying overnight, this gives both parents and child the chance to settle for the night.
Should you wish to stay overnight with your child, you can (in fact, we actively encourage this). We can provide you with a bed for one parent.
Of course. You’re very welcome to go to the anaesthetic room, where you can stay until your child is asleep. At that point, the nurse will accompany you back to your room.
Our patients' cerebral hypoxia stories
Finley's SDR story
Lenny's SDR surgery
Lenny was 13 months old when he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Thanks to specialised surgery at The Portland, his walking is rapidly improving.
“We want Lenny to play with his friends and be independent as he gets older. The improvement we can see in just a few months is amazing.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.