DrNB Paediatric Neurology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Eligibility Criteria, fee details

DrNB Pediatric Neurology or Doctorate of National Board in Pediatric Neurology also known as DrNB in Pediatric Neurology is a super speciality level course for doctors in India that they do after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super speciality course is 3 years, and it focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders occurring in the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves of infants, children and young adults.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited institutes/hospitals offering this course are Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children Institute of Child Health and Research Centre, Mumbai, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, and Rainbow Children`s Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana.

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 DrNB (Paediatric Neurology) varies from accredited institutes/hospital to hospital and may range from Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 3,15,000 per annum.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh per annum.

DNB is equivalent to MD/MS/DM/MCH degrees awarded respectively in medical and surgical super specialities. The list of recognized qualifications awarded by the Board in various broad and super specialities as approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

The Diplomate of National Board in broad-speciality qualifications and super speciality qualifications when granted in a medical institution with the attached hospital or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-speciality qualification granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.

What is DrNB in Paediatric Neurology?

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

Paediatric Neurology is the branch of medical science dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders occurring in the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nerves of infants, children and young adults.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for DrNB in Paediatric Neurology.

The curriculum governs the education and training of DrNB in Paediatric Neurology.

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

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 DrNB in Paediatric Neurology

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DrNB 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:

Note:

· The feeder qualification for DrNB Pediatric Neurology is defined by the NBE and is subject to changes by the NBE.

· The feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022.

· For any changes, please refer to the NBE website.

• The prior entry qualifications shall be strictly in accordance with Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, and its amendments notified by the NMC and any clarification issued from NMC in this regard.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration with 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 DrNB in Paediatric Neurology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DrNB in Paediatric Neurology mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super speciality 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 speciality.
• 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 speciality subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of the respective group if they are willing to opt for a super speciality course in any of the super speciality courses covered in that group.
• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate speciality qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.
• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying for the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counselling only for those super speciality subjects covered in the said group for which his/ her broad speciality is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DrNB in Paediatric Neurology varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DrNB in Paediatric Neurology ranges from Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 3,15,000 lakh per annum.

Colleges offering DrNB in Paediatric Neurology

There are various accredited institutes/hospitals across India that offer courses for pursuing DrNB in Paediatric Neurology.

As per the National Board of Examinations website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are offering DrNB (Paediatric Neurology) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

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

The course content for DrNB in Paediatric Neurology is given in the NBE Curriculum released by the National Board of Examinations, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

The following is the comprehensive list of topics that will be covered over the three-year period.

1. These topics will be covered/taught through a combination of didactic teaching, seminars, journal clubs, difficult case meetings, clinical case presentations and hands-on wards and clinic case discussions and management rounds.

2. Multi-disciplinary meetings with allied specialities (Neuroradiology, Neurorehabilitation, Pathology, Neurosurgery, Child Psychology and Psychiatry etc.,) will be made part of the teaching roster (through combined seminars and case discussions) to broaden the Trainee's' approach and outlook

a. Development of the Infant and young child

 Anatomy of Neurodevelopment (Including embryology of the nervous system)

 Physiology of Neurodevelopment

 Assessment of normal development

 Variations of the normal development

 Developmental surveillance of at-risk neonates and infants

 Approach to infants and children with global developmental delay

 Diagnosis and management of children with Cerebral Palsy

 Screening and interventions for Autism spectrum disorders

 Screening and interventions for Attention deficit per activity disorders

 Evaluation and management of children with Learning disorders / Scholastic difficulties

 Intellectual disability: Comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation

b. Malformations of the Nervous system

 Normal embryology and anatomy of the Nervous system

 Common CNS malformations: Identification and holistic evaluation

 Medical and Surgical Management of CNS malformations

c. Seizures and Epilepsy in childhood

 Epileptic Seizures and non-epileptic events

 Febrile seizures

 Classification and evaluation of epilepsy

 Epilepsy syndromes in childhood

 Status epilepticus

 Pharmacy therapy for epilepsy

 Refractory epilepsy

 Surgical management of epilepsy

 Non-pharmacological treatments of refractory epilepsy-ketogenic diet and vagal nerve stimulation.

d. Infections of the Central Nervous System

 Acute bacterial (Pyogenic) meningitis

 Aseptic meningitis

 Chronic meningitis including tubercular meningitis

 Brain abscess

 Acute encephalitis

 Cerebral malaria

 Acute febrile encephalopathy (Acute Encephalitis Syndrome)

 Neuro cysticercoids

 Neurological manifestations of HIV in children

 Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

 Congenital infections

 Neonatal CNS infections (Meningitis, Ventriculitis, Abscess)

 Laboratory diagnosis of CNS infections

e. Neuro Immunology

 Demyelinating disorders of the CNS

 ADEM, optic neuritis, acute transverse myelitis, Neuro my elitis optics (NMO), Multiple sclerosis

 Immunologically mediated diseases affecting the CNS grey matter, peripheral nervous system

 Autoimmune encephalitis

 Opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia syndrome

 Systemic vasculitis with nervous system manifestations

f. Neuro Degenerative Disorders

 Classification and approach to a child with neuro regression (Gray matter, white matter, cerebellar and basal ganglia disorders)

 Grey matter degenerative brain disorders

 Leukodystrophies and leukoencephalopathies

 Diagnostic evaluation of children with a suspected degenerative disorder

 Management

 Genetic counselling

 Recent advances in therapies

g. Neuro metabolic disorders including mitochondrial disorders

 Classification, evaluation and approach to the child with suspected neuro metabolic disorder

 Diagnostic evaluation (Biochemical, molecular and histological)

 Dietary management of Metabolic disorders

 Long-term management, follow-up and prenatal counselling.

 Genetics

 Patterns of Inheritance

 Chromosomal abnormalities

 Approach to a child with dysmorphism

 Uses and interpretation of various genetic tests in the diagnosis of neurogenetic disorders (Karyotyping, FISH, MLPA, Chromosomal microarray, clinical exome sequencing, whole exome sequencing, Whole genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing)

i. Toxic and Nutritional disorders

 Toxic disorders: Acute and chronic exposure to Lead, thallium, arsenic, mercury, aluminium, organic toxins, alcohol, bacterial toxins

 Neurological manifestations of Nutritional deficiencies (Protein-energy malnutrition, Cobalamine and Thiamine deficiency, infantile tremor syndrome etc.,)

j. Neuro cutaneous syndromes (Phakomatoses)

 The spectrum of neurocutaneous syndromes

 Neuro fibromatosis

 Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

 Sturge Weber Syndrome etc.

 Hypomelanos is of I to and Incontinentiapigmenti

 Other neurocutaneous syndromes

k. Movement disorders

 Approach to child with a movement disorder

 Chorea: Approach and management

 Dystonia: Approach and management

 Tic disorders: Evaluation and treatment

 Approach to a child with Ataxia

l. Cerebrovascular disorders (Stroke in children)

 Epidemiology of pediatric stroke

 Arterial ischemic stroke(AIS)

 Cerebral Sino venous thrombosis (CSVT)

 Hemorrhagic stroke

 Perinatal stroke (Presumed perinatal and Neonatal stroke)

m. Neonatal Neurology

 Neurological assessment of the neonate

 Neonatal encephalopathy: Approach

 Neonatal seizures

 Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

 Encephalopathy of prematurity

 Intra ventricular Hemorrhage and Hydrocephalus

 Meningitis and Ventriculitis

 Cranial ultrasonography

 Approach to the neonate with suspected IEM

 Floppy neonate: Evaluation and management

 Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn

 CNS malformations

 Floppy neonate

n. Brain tumours

 Features and Classification

 Evaluation and management

 Role of Radiotherapy

o. Spinal cord disorders

 Approach and localization of spinal cord disorders

 Spinal dysraphism (Types, evaluation and management)

 Vascular, Nutritional and Inflammatory disorders of the spinal cord

 Neuro genic bladder: Evaluation and management

p. Neuromuscular disorders

 Approach and Evaluation

 His to pathological changes in different disorders

 Developmental disorders of muscle (Congenital myopathies)

 Muscular dystrophies

 Endocrine and metabolic myopathies

 Inflammatory myopathies (including Guillain-Barre syndrome)

 Disorders of Neuromuscular transmission

 Spinal muscular atrophy

 Autonomic neuropathies

 Advances in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders

 Brachial plexus injuries: Diagnosis and management

 Hereditary neuropathies

 Approach to floppy infant and floppy child

q. Coma in Pediatric Patient/Brain Death

 Approach to a child with a coma

 Neurological Monitoring of a comatose child

 Coma in Pediatric population/metabolic coma

 Brain death in children

 Management of a child with raised intracranial pressure

r. Neurological manifestations of systemic diseases

 Metabolic encephalopathies

 Disorders of acid/base/ electrolyte disturbances

 Neurological complications of pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, cardiac, haematological, neoplastic and endocrine diseases

s. Neurological and Neurosurgical emergencies

 Management of hydrocephalus

 Surgical management of raised intracranial pressure

 Traumatic brain injury

 Management of Refractory status epilepticus

t. Clinical Epidemiology and Research Methodology

 Study designs

 Hypothesis testing

 Biostatistics

 Critical appraisal of a journal article

u. Ethics in Medicine

 Ethical dilemmas in neuro-critical care

 End-of-life care in chronic neurological illnesses

 Ethics in research and publication

v. Neuro informatics

 Use of technology in neurology education/training

 Telemedicine in Child Neurology

 Role of technology in health care access

w. Rehabilitation in Pediatric Neurology

 Early intervention: Principles and practice

 Principles of physiotherapy

 Orthoses and Assistive devices

 Treatment of spasticity

 Occupational therapy

 Orthopaedic management of children with Cerebral palsy

x. Community Pediatrics

 National Programme

 Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance

 Vaccine prevent able neurological disorders

y. Non-epileptiform paroxysmal disorders and sleep disorders

 Headache

 Breath-holding spells

 Syncope

 Parasomnias

z. Neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous system disorders

 Disorders of Hypothalamus & Pituitary gland in Childhood and Adolescence

 Disorders of micturition and defecation

 Disorders of the autonomic nervous system

aa. Neuroimaging

 Principles of neuroimaging (Neuro sonogram, CT and MRI)

 Imaging in epilepsy

 Newer imaging modalities

 Metabolic imaging

 Interventional radiology

bb.Electrophysiology

 Electroencephalography

 Nerve conduction studies

 Needle electromyography and single fiber EMG (SFEMG)

 Evoked potentials

cc. Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders

 Gene therapy

 Regenerative medicine (Stem cell therapy)

 Exon skipping

 Therapies for Lysosomal storage disorders

 Precision medicine

dd.Basic neuroanatomy including localization of neurological lesions in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

ee. Climate Change

 Effect of climate change on the Neurodevelopment of children

 Changing epidemiology of Infectious and vector-borne diseases due to

climate change

 Impact of Climate change on other Neurological disorders in children

ff. Air pollution

 Effect of air pollution on the developing brain

 Air pollution and neurological disorders in children

gg.Other environmental pollutants (water, soil)

 Other environmental pollutants (water, soil) and neurological disorders.

 Heat Wave.

 Heat stroke: Acute neurological manifestations of heat stroke

 Neurological Sequelae of heat stroke

Career Options

After completing a DrNB 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), etc.

Courses After DrNB in Paediatric Neurology Course

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – DrNB in Paediatric Neurology Course

Question: What is the full form of DrNB?

Answer: The full form of DrNB is a Doctorate of National Board.

Question: What is a DrNB in Paediatric Neurology?

Answer: DrNB Paediatric Neurology or Doctorate of National Board in Paediatric Neurology also known as DrNB in Paediatric Neurology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that they do after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

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

Answer: DrNB in Paediatric Neurology is a super speciality programme of three years.

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

Answer: Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/DNB) in General Medicine or Paediatrics from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE. This feeder qualification is for the year 2022 and for further updates, please refer to the NBE website.

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

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

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

Answer: The DrNB in Paediatric Neurology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh per annum depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DrNB Course?

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

Question: What is the difference between DrNB and DNB?

Answer: As of today, DrNB is a super-specialist qualification imparted by the NBE (SS level). Whereas DNB is a specialist qualification (PG level). Earlier DrNB used to be called DNB SS but now it is called DrNB.