Pediatric Neurosurgery
When your child needs surgery for a neurological issue, you want expert care you can trust. Our highly skilled pediatric neurosurgeons perform complex procedures to help your child live life to the fullest.
Medically reviewed by Marike Zwienenberg, M.D., Julia Devi Sharma, M.D. and Cameron Sadegh, M.D. on July 18, 2025.
Expert Pediatric Neurosurgery Care
Conditions that affect a child’s brain, spine, or nerves (nervous system) may be present at birth, develop during childhood, or occur from an injury. These neurological issues can be lifelong, requiring neurosurgery and ongoing follow-up care.
At UC Davis Health, your family receives compassionate care from pediatric neurosurgeons dedicated to treating challenging neurological conditions in children. Pediatric neurosurgery is part of our Department of Neurology, which includes a child neurology program.
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Advanced Neurosurgery for Children
You can entrust your child’s neurosurgical care to us. Our pediatric neurosurgeons have deep expertise performing intricate surgical procedures for children with complex, common, and rare brain, spine, and nerve conditions.
We perform advanced neurosurgeries for children who have:
- Brain and spinal cord tumors
- Chiari malformations, arachnoid cysts, and syringomyelia
- Hydrocephalus
- Cerebrovascular disorders (including moyamoya)
- Craniofacial disorders and craniosynostosis
- Epilepsy
- Movement disorders and spasticity
- Pituitary disorders
- Spina bifida or tethered cord (including fetal treatment)
- Traumatic injuries of the brain (TBI) and spine
At UC Davis Health, you have access to:
Care From a Team of Specialists
Our pediatric neurosurgeons partner with you to make informed treatment decisions that offer your child the best quality of life. At our academic medical institution, your child routinely receives care from a team of experts that may include neurologists, neurointensivists and other pediatric specialists.
Highest Level Children’s Surgery Center
UC Davis Children’s Hospital was the first center on the West Coast, and the fourth in the nation, to earn verification as a level 1 Children’s Surgery Center. This American College of Surgeons recognition means we have pediatric surgeons in every discipline, dedicated pediatric anesthesiologists, nursing staff, and operating rooms tailored for children’s smaller sizes. We have consistently maintained our verification, a testament to the high quality pediatric surgical care provided at UC Davis Health.
Advanced Services for Traumatic Injuries
Our level 1 trauma center provides the highest level of care for children with sudden, severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spine injuries. As the largest level 1 trauma center in inland Northern California, we provide the highest level of care for all injuries.
Postsurgical Rehabilitation Services
Children who undergo neurosurgery often benefit from physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy. Through our partnership with Shriners Hospital of Northern California, children have access to a state-of-the-art pediatric rehabilitation service. Eligible children also have access to our Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics clinics and the UC Davis Mind Institute.
Care From the Womb to Young Adulthood
We have the expertise to perform fetal repair of spina bifida while a baby is in the womb, as well as other complex procedures for infants through young adults. Some patients with complex, rare congenital disorders require ongoing pediatric expertise into adulthood. For these patients, we partner with our internationally recognized adult neurosurgery department to provide optimal and lifelong care.
Focus on Pediatric Neurosurgery Research
Our pediatric neurosurgeons are active in research and clinical trials to improve care and quality of life. Our research efforts explore the use of gene and stem cell therapies, medical extended reality, and improve the treatment of hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and epilepsy.
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Preparing for Pediatric Neurosurgery
It’s normal for your child and you to be anxious about neurosurgery. Our care team will help your family understand what to expect with surgery and recovery. We’re always available to answer your questions.
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Before Pediatric Neurosurgery
Learn more about child life servicesOur child life specialists use age-appropriate tools to help your child know what to expect with medical procedures and manage anxiety better. These specialists help parents, too.
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During Pediatric Neurosurgery
Learn more about neuroanesthesiologyNeurosurgery steps vary depending on the type of surgery and condition. Our neurosurgeons use advanced imaging technology to make surgery safer and get the best results. Our dedicated neuroanesthesiologists specialize in keeping children comfortable.
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After Pediatric Neurosurgery
Infants recover in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which has the highest possible level 4 rating, reflecting our ability to provide critical care for medically fragile infants. Older children recover in our state-of-the-art pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
Home Care After Pediatric Neurosurgery
Your child’s recovery after neurosurgery depends on the surgery type, their overall health and other factors. To aid your child’s at-home recovery, it’s important to follow your care team’s instructions.
Give Medications as Prescribed
Keep your child comfortable by ensuring they take medications for pain and other symptoms on time and as prescribed by their provider.
Get Follow-Up Care
Your child may need follow-up imaging scans and other postsurgical care. Some children also need rehabilitation services and support for developmental delays.
Promote Restful Healing
Your child needs time to rest and heal after neurosurgery. Talk to your child’s provider to know when it’s safe for your child to return to school and be more active.
Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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