Ariel C. Rabanes, MD - Child Neurologist

03/06/2026

Nearly one-third of people with autism also have epilepsy. Researchers aren't sure why. For people on the spectrum, epilepsy can prompt unique challenges. Seizure symptoms can be misinterpreted as common autistic behaviors. Treatment may also be difficult due to the stress of a clinical setting, or the impact of anti-seizure medications on autism symptoms. Currently, some experts argue that there is a lack of research in assessing these care pathways.

To learn more about diagnosis and treatment for people with autism and epilepsy, ILAE Sharp Waves spoke to Dr. Colin Reilly and Dr. Stéphane Auvin in 2023. Listen to this encore episode at www.ilae.org/podcast/autism-encore.

03/06/2026

Encephalitis affects 500,000-1.5 million people annually worldwide, causing substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden.

A new Seminar provides a comprehensive overview of encephalitis ▶️ http://spkl.io/6186AhXfe

👇 Figure: Patient outcomes after encephalitis. Multiple functional domains are affected by infectious and autoimmune encephalitis.

03/06/2026

Adolescents in a national cohort used smartphones an average of 50 minutes on school nights, mostly for social media, with about half using devices during midnight hours, raising concerns for sleep disruption.

https://ja.ma/4v8RJfi

03/06/2026

During a stroke, every minute counts. If you think someone may be having a stroke, B.E. F.A.S.T.

B—Balance Loss

Ask the person if they are feeling off-balance or dizzy.

E—Eye (Vision) Changes

Ask the person if they have trouble seeing normally.

F—Face

Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms

Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—Speech

Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke: www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html.

04/05/2026

Tetanus is a rare but life-threatening disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is acquired when C tetani from soil, dust, or manure enter the body through broken skin from puncture wounds, cuts, or burns.

In the human body, C tetani grows in damaged tissue and produces tetanus toxin, which travels to the central nervous system and blocks the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord.

From 2013 to 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 267 cases of tetanus in the US, including 13 deaths.

📄This JAMA Patient Page describes the signs and symptoms of , the risk factors, vaccinations for prevention, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

https://ja.ma/4tI0dcT

03/05/2026

Speech and Screentime

Excess in early childhood reduces exposure to adult speech and conversational exchanges, which may negatively affect language development. Shared viewing and educational content can help mitigate these effects.

This JAMA Pediatrics Patient Page discusses how screen time may affect language development in children.

https://ja.ma/4tgxs61

14/04/2026

Scientists at the University of Kentucky have uncovered a new reason why people with Alzheimer’s disease often struggle with sleep, long before memory loss begins. The study, led by researchers at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, reveals that a protein called tau “hijacks” the brain’s ener...

14/04/2026

Clinical signs of SEPSIS.

All World Health Organization IMCI algorithm clinical signs were significantly associated with mortality or culture-confirmed sepsis in young infants, while additional signs such as prolonged capillary refill and central cyanosis may further improve risk identification. https://ja.ma/4vIXd1t

14/04/2026

All World Health Organization IMCI algorithm clinical signs were significantly associated with mortality or culture-confirmed sepsis in young infants, while additional signs such as prolonged capillary refill and central cyanosis may further improve risk identification. https://ja.ma/4vIXd1t

14/04/2026

Mealtime can be a fun, rewarding, and messy time for you and your little one. Having a routine can help children know what to expect when it’s time for meals or snacks.

Get tips for establishing healthy mealtime routines: https://bit.ly/4bGZelw