DM Paediatric Neurology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fees, Eligibility Criteria Details

DM Paediatric Neurology or Doctorate of Medicine in Paediatric Neurology also known as DM in Paediatric Neurology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions in neonates (newborns), infants, children, and adolescents.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research- Chandigarh, All India Institute of Medical Sciences- New Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College- Belgaum, and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DM (Paediatric Neurology) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 22,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 4,00,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 per year.

What is DM in Paediatric Neurology?

Doctorate of Medicine in Paediatric Neurology, also known as DM (Paediatric Neurology) or DM in (Paediatric Neurology) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Paediatric Neurology is the branch of medical science dealing with the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions in neonates (newborns), infants, children, and adolescents.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released guidelines for a Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for DM in Paediatric Neurology.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of DMs in Paediatric Neurology.

The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

The PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Paediatric Neurology would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DM in Paediatric Neurology

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DM in Paediatric Neurology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

• The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DM in Paediatric Neurology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Paediatric Neurology mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.

• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
2. PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. JIPMER, Puducherry
4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.

• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.

• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those super specialty subjects covered in the said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Paediatric Neurology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Paediatric Neurology is around Rs. 5000 to Rs. 22,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DM in Paediatric Neurology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing DM in (Paediatric Neurology).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering DM in (Paediatric Neurology) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A DM in Paediatric Neurology is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Paediatric Neurology.

The course content for DM in Paediatric Neurology is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

The broad course contents are outlined below:

Learning in the DM course will eventually be self directed and will take place while working in the clinics and through interactions in the rounds. Apart from the faculty of the division of child neurology, members of the department faculty and members of other departments will also be involved in the didactic teaching of respective fields as follows.

(I) Development of the Infant and young child

(a) Anatomy of Neurodevelopment

(b) Physiology of Neurodevelopment

(c) Assessment of normal development

(d) Variations of the normal development

(e) The abnormal child; Early markers of CP etc

(f) Approach to a child with developmental delay

(II) CNS malformations

(a) Normal anatomy of the CNS

(b) Common CNS malformations

(c) Surgical management of CNS malformations

(III) Seizure disorders in childhood

(a) Seizures and non seizures

(b) Febrile seizures

(c) Classification /evaluation and management of epilepsy

(d) Epileptic syndromes

(e) Status epilepticus

(f) Intractable epilepsy

(g) EEG in seizure disorders

(h) Surgical management of seizure disorders

(IV) Infections of the CNS

(a) Acute pyogenic meningitis

(b) Neonatal meningitis (c ) Chronic meningitis

(d) Brain abscess

(e) Acute encephalitis

(f) Cerebral malaria

(g) Acute febrile encephalopathy

(h) Neurocysticercosis

(i) HIV encephalopathy

(j) SSPE

(k) Congenital infections

(l) Laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections

(V) Autoimmune and Post infectious diseases

(a) Primary demyelinating diseases of the CNS

(b) ADEM, optic neuritis, acute transverse myelitis

(c) Immunologically mediated diseases affecting the CNS gray matter , peripheral nervous system

(d) Systemic vasculitides with nervous system manifestations

(VI) Neurodegenerative disorders (in co-ordination with the Departments of Pathology and Radio diagnosis)

(a) Classification, Approach to a patient – gray matter, white matter

(b) Diagnosis (including histopathology and neurogenetics) (c ) Management

(d) Antenatal counseling

(VII) Neurometabolic disorders including mitochondrial disorders (in co-ordination with the Departments of Pathology and Radiodiagnosis)

(a) Classification, evaluation and approach to a patient

(b) Neurogenetics

(c) Management including antenatal counseling

(d) Role of histopathology

(VIII) Chromosomal anomalies

(a) Autosomal abnormalities

(b) Sex chromosomal abnormalities

(c) Chromosomal abnormalities in various dysmorphic syndromes

(IX) Toxic and nutritional disorders

(a) Toxic disorders: lead, thallium, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, organic toxins ,alcohol, bacterial toxins

(b) nutritional disorders; protein energy malnutrition, Vitamin deficiencies, infantile tremor syndrome

(X) Neurocutaneous syndromes

Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous Sclerosis, Sturge Weber Syndrome etc.

(XI) Movement disorders

Movement disorders including cerebellar dysfunction Ataxias, chorea, dystonias, Tics etc

(XII) Cerebrovascular disorders

(a) Arterial thrombosis

(b) Venous thrombosis/embolism

(c) Intracranial bleed

(d) Stroke

(e) Role of Radioimaging

(XIII) Neonatal neurology

(a) Neonatal seizures

(b) Hypoxic encephalopathy

(c) Intraventricular Hemorrhage

(d) Clinical neurological assessment

(e) Role of EEG, Ultrasonography, CT scan

(f) Neonatal seizures

(g) ICH

(h) Brain edema

(i) Neuromuscular disorders

(j) Degenerative disorders

(k) CNS malformations

(XIV) Brain tumors

(a) Features, Classification, Evaluation and management

(b) Role of Radiotherapy

(XV) Spinal cord disorders

(XVI) Neuromuscular disorders

(a) Evaluation and investigation

(b) Histopathological changes in different disorders

(c) Developmental disorders of muscle

(d) Muscular dystrophies

(e) Endocrine and metabolic myopathies

(f) Inflammatory myopathies

(g) Disorders of Neuromuscular transmission

(h) Spinal muscle atrophy

(i) Motor neuron disease

(j) Autonomic neuropathies

(k) Guillain Barre syndrome

(XVII) Mental Retardation

(a) Assessment of intelligence quotient

(b) Causes, Evaluation

(c) Prevention / Role of antenatal counseling

(XVIII) Behavioral and Pervasive disorders (in co-ordination with the Departments of Psychiatry and with NGO's in the schools and field)

(a) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), Autistic spectrum Disorder

(b) Learning disability

(XIX) Coma in Pediatric Patient /Brain Death

(a) Intensive care (posting in PICU and lectures by Consultant PICU)

(b) Monitoring of a comatose child

(c) Coma in Pediatric population/ metabolic coma

(d) Brain death

(XX) Neurological manifestations of systemic diseases

(a) metabolic encephalopathies

(b) disorders of acid/base / elecrolyte disturbances

(c) neurological complications of pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cardiac, hematological, neoplastic and endocrine diseases

(XX) Neurological and Neurosurgical emergencies

(a) Department of Neurosurgery

(b) Neurological Emergencies

(XXII) Clinical Epidemiology

(a) research methodology

(b) biostatistics

(XXIII) Ethics in Medicine

(XXIV) Neuroinformatics

Use of media in education, computer information and technology, internet

(XXV) Rehabilitation in Pediatric Neurology

(a) Principles of physiotherapy

(b) Assistive devices

(c) Treatment of spasticity

(d) Occupational therapy

(XXVI) Community Pediatrics

(a) National Programmes

(b) AFP surveillance

(XXVII) Non epileptiform paroxysmal disorders and sleep disorders

*headache

*breath holding spells

*syncope

* sleep disorders

(XXVIII) Neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system disorders

(a) disorders of Hypothalamus & Pituitary gland in Childhood and Adolescence

(b) disorders of micturition and defecation

(c) disorders of autonomic nervous system

(XXIX) Neuroimaging

SUBJECT SPECIFIC PRACTICAL OR PRACTICE BASED COMPETENCIES

Psychomotor Domain

The student should acquire the following skills under the psychomotor domain:

Clinical Skills

1. Detailed history taking

2. Physical and Neurologic examination

3. Blood sampling; capillary, venous and arterial

4. Insertion of peripheral and central lines

5. Pediatric ventilation

6. Care of a comatose child

7. Physiotherapy

8. Lumbar puncture and CSF examination

9. Subdural tap

10. Ventricular tap

11. Neuroradioloical procedures; skull x-ray, cranial ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, radio nuclide brain scan, cerebral angiography,

12. Eletroencephalography

13. Evoked potentials; Visual evoked potential, Brainstem auditory evoked potential

14. Nerve conduction velocity

15. Electromyography

16. Muscle biopsy

17. Nerve biopsy

18. Neurometabolic screening tests (urine)

Career Options

After completing a DM in Paediatric Neurology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Paediatric Neurology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Paediatric Neurology), Paediatric Neurology Specialist.

Courses After DM in Paediatric Neurology Course

DM in Paediatric Neurology is a specialisation course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Paediatric Neurology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DM in Paediatric Neurology is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) –DM in Paediatric Neurology Course

Question: What is the full form of DM?

Answer: The full form of DM is Doctorate of Medicine.

Question: What is a DM in Paediatric Neurology?

Answer: DM Paediatric Neurology or Doctorate of Medicine in Paediatric Neurology also known as DM in Paediatric Neurology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Question: What is the duration of a DM in Paediatric Neurology?

Answer: DM in Paediatric Neurology is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Paediatric Neurology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE.

Question: What is the scope of a DM in Paediatric Neurology?

Answer: DM in Paediatric Neurology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Paediatric Neurology candidate?

Answer: The DM in Paediatric Neurology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 4,00,000 to Rs. 25,00,000 per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?

Answer: Yes, candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing the DM course.