Neurology

Our vision is to provide the best service using evidence-based care for our patients who are mainly from the south-eastern regions of Melbourne.

We manage children with epilepsy, seizures, neuromuscular conditions, undiagnosed developmental concerns, metabolic conditions and complicated headaches/migraines. We also provide inpatient and outpatient facilities including EEG (electroencephalogram) tests to diagnose epilepsy.

We have a strong research interest in neuroprotection, researching ways of protecting babies’ brains before and after birth, and our staff has links to national and international researchers in this field. Detailed MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans can be given which aim to enable interventions that prevent brain injury from oxygen starvation before and after birth.

• Outpatient neurology clinics
• Complex epilepsy clinic
• Routine EEG
• Ambulatory EEG / Elective overnight VEEG monitoring
• Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy
• Ketogenic diet
• Nerve conduction studies and electromyography
• Acute stroke intervention

We interact with all units in the hospital, particularly the neurological rehabilitation stream, general paediatrics and adolescent medicine, the emergency departments and the intensive care units.

Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy Service
Monash Children’s Hospital is now offering a Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy (DTE) Service, established in October 2015. This program is a joint initiative of Nutrition and Dietetics and Paediatric Neurology.

What are Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy?
DTE are specialised, medically supervised diets that can improve seizure control in some children. These well-established therapies are supported by scientific evidence and are used worldwide

What does a DTE involve?
There are different types of DTE, including the Ketogenic and Modified Diets. The Monash Children’s Hospital DTE Service provides dietary planning, implementation and monitoring supported by a specialised paediatric dietitian and clinical nurse consultant. Suitability for trial of this treatment requires consideration of many factors, including seizure type and severity and the ability to manage a complex and restrictive diet. If you have any questions regarding your child’s suitability please discuss this treatment option with their paediatric neurologist.

The number of children commencing the diet each month is limited so if you are interested please speak to your child’s paediatric neurologist and the DTE Service clinical nurse consultant or dietitian.

Contact
DTE Service Dietitian
Jacinta Winderlich
Email: jacinta.winderlich@monashhealth.org

Nutrition and Dietetics
Phone: (03) 9594 4180

DTE further information:

• View video on Ketogenic Diet blood ketone testing
• http://www.epilepsyqueensland.com.au/site/content/the-ketogenic-diet
• www.charliefoundation.org
• www.ketopag.org

Outpatient services

Urgent consultations or discussion can be obtained from the on-call consultant or fellow via the Monash Children’s Hospital main reception on (03) 8572 3000.

Please see referral guidelines – Paediatric Neurology Referral Guidelines

• Prof Michael Fahey – Consultant neurologist
• Dr Shabeed Chelakkadan – Consultant neurologist
• Dr Itay Zelcer – Consultant neurologist
• Dr Manoj Kanhangad – Consultant neurologist
• Dr Michael Hayman – Consultant neurologist
• Ms Sue Taylor – Clinic nurse coordinator – (03) 8572 3000