Neuroimmunology Center for Children

About the Neuroimmunology Center for Children

At the Neuroimmunology Center for Children, we take a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation, diagnosis and care of children and teens with autoimmune disorders that affect the nervous system, multiple sclerosis (MS) and related neuroinflammatory disorders.

Why choose us for the care of your child with a neuroimmunological disorder?

Learning that your child has been diagnosed with a rare neuroimmunological disorder can be difficult. Our expert team provides family-centered care and support throughout the process of diagnosis and treatment.

Our clinic physician, Teri Schreiner, MD, has extensive experience and training in pediatric neuroimmunology. In addition to providing exceptional care throughout the lifespan, she is one of the few providers in the country collaborating on research to better understand these disorders.

We recognize that every child’s needs are different, and that each child needs to be treated as an individual. We tailor our treatment approach to give your child the best chance at a good health outcome. Our Center partners with experts in rheumatology, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, general child neurology, endocrinology and other related pediatric services within Children’s Hospital Colorado.

We also work with each child’s local pediatrician to provide coordinated care in their home community. Beyond the clinic, we address the many issues that children with a rare neuroimmunological disorder face. This includes school performance, cognitive evaluations and mental health. Moreover, we address how a chronic disease in childhood can affect family dynamics.

Who we treat at the Neuroimmunology Center for Children

Our team of experts provides care for children and adolescents affected by rare disorders that fall into two main categories:

• Demyelinating diseases: These are conditions in which the myelin, or coating, of the nerves in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves are damaged by inflammation. This interrupts the signals between the nervous system and the rest of the body. Common symptoms can include vision changes, numbness, balance problems, urinary dysfunction and weakness. The most common demyelinating disease is multiple sclerosis (MS). Approximately 3 to 5% of all individuals with MS are diagnosed before age 16.

  Our providers have specialized expertise in understanding and providing comprehensive care for children with MS and related disorders, such as:

  • Radiologically isolated syndrome
  • Clinically isolated syndrome
  • Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
  • Anti-MOG antibody syndrome
  • Acute flaccid myelitis
  • Acute transverse myelitis
  • Optic neuritis

• Neuroimmune disorders: These rare disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system (nerves). Symptoms of neuroimmune disorders can include confusion, seizures, movement disorders, headaches and mood disturbance.

  Our experts treat conditions that affect the central nervous system, such as:

  • Autoimmune encephalitis, including anti-NMDAR encephalitis and others
  • Hashimoto’s encephalopathy
  • Central nervous system vasculitis
  • Central nervous system lupus
  • Neuro-Behcet's
  • Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome
  • Neurosarcoidosis

Contact the Neuroimmunology Center for Children

To schedule an appointment, call 720-777-6895. For non-urgent questions about our Center, call us at 720-777-2212 or email msclinic@childrenscolorado.org.