Diagnostic Testing

At Brainchild Neurology, diagnostic tests like lab work, blood draws, or imaging may be used to support your child’s care and guide next steps.

If you have any questions about testing, please reach out to us at info@brainchildneurology.com

Neurologic conditions in childhood may have a variety of causes.

We offer comprehensive testing services for neurologic conditions.  

Testing will focus on the most relevant causes and may include the following:

A young girl with curly hair and a pink hair clip making a playful binocular gesture with her hands around her eyes, sitting on someone's shoulders outdoors.
  • Whole genome or exome sequencing to look for genetic conditions

  • Testing for various amino acid, organic acid and other metabolic testing

  • Lead and other heavy metals

  • Hormone testing, such as for hypothyroidism

  • Autoimmune condition screening such as screening for Lupus or Celiac 

  • Screening for vitamin deficiencies, iron or copper deficiency, and others

Close-up view of a laboratory workbench with various bottles and a robotic arm operating in a science or pharmaceutical lab.

Testing that involves bloodwork or urine will usually involve going to a lab (such as a Labcorp).  

A phlebotomist can be also arranged on request for home lab draws in certain conditions.

FRAT testing (Folate Receptor Antibody Testing) can be ordered and arranged with a phlebotomist to be done either at home or while in office.

A person in a blue shirt receives a medical injection in their arm from healthcare worker wearing gloves and a watch.

Some testing can be started in the office (for example swabs for comprehensive genetic testing). 

Other testing will require being sent to a variety of special centers if specialized equipment is needed. 

These may include an Electroencephalogram (EEG) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).   

EEGs may be ordered at times to look for possible seizures or changes in the function of the brain.  

Brain imaging such as an MRI may be ordered to look for structural causes of neurologic disease.