From child to adult

This essay discusses a number of aspects of the neurosurgical problems that occur as a child progresses into adulthood. Some typical disorders may not present until a patient reaches adulthood ("pediatric" brain tumors, hydro cephalus, Arnold-Chiari malformation). The neurosurgeon will be confronted with disorders of maturation - children who are prematurely adult and adult s who remain childlike. A variety of neurological disorders may present wit h these disorders of maturation; and they are discussed. Finally, the neuro surgeon must be prepared to follow-through for adults who have been treated for neurological problems when they were children. These include patients with shunts for hydrocephalus, patients with spinal deformities, and patien ts with secondary effects of adjunctive therapy.