Pediatric Neurosurgery
Advanced, Child-Centered Neurosurgical Care Close to Home
When your child is facing a neurological condition that affects the brain, skull, spine, or nerves, you want trusted answers and expert care that’s nearby. At Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health, our board-certified pediatric neurosurgeons provide leading-edge surgical treatments designed for growing children, right here in New Jersey. We’re proud to be ranked number one in New Jersey for pediatric neurology & neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report ‘25-’26.
We care for children from infancy through young adulthood, treating a wide range of neurological conditions with the latest surgical tools and techniques tailored specifically for kids. Our neurosurgeons work closely with craniofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, pediatric oncologists, and other specialists to ensure every child receives coordinated, compassionate, and family-centered care.
Find a pediatric expert near you
Conditions and Treatments We Offer
Our Craniofacial and Cleft Center treats children with congenital or acquired conditions that affect the face, head, neck, jaw, or skull. Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital are two of just six hospitals in New Jersey nationally recognized as an American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) Approved Team.
When fluid builds up in the brain (a condition known as hydrocephalus), we perform procedures such as shunt placement to safely relieve pressure. We use minimally invasive methods whenever possible to reduce pain, shorten recovery, and lower the risk of complications.
Our pediatric neurosurgeons collaborate closely with pediatric hematology and oncology physicians, neurologists, and radiologists to care for children with brain and spinal cord tumors. Every child’s care plan is personalized and delivered with advanced tools and a multidisciplinary team.
If epilepsy medications aren’t enough to control seizures, surgery may be an option. Our Level IV Epilepsy Center offers the highest level of care available for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Our experienced epilepsy surgeons use imaging and monitoring tools to safely remove or disconnect seizure-causing areas of the brain.
Surgical Techniques Designed for Children
Children’s bodies are still growing, which means they need care that’s designed to grow with them. That’s why our pediatric neurosurgeons use tools and materials that are specifically suited for young patients, like absorbable plates instead of permanent ones. These allow a child’s head and brain to continue developing normally after surgery.
Whenever possible, we also use minimally invasive approaches. With special tools like endoscopes that are specifically designed for children, we can treat conditions through small openings rather than large incisions. This can mean:
- Less pain after surgery
- Smaller scars
- Faster healing and recovery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Lower risk of complications
Common Questions About Brain, Spine, and Skull Surgery in Kids
Why Choose Us for Pediatric Neurosurgery?
We want you to be as involved in your child's health care as possible. Every member of our pediatric neurosurgery team encourages family participation — from diagnosis through treatment recovery.
You have many choices for advanced surgical care for your child. Know that when you choose Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health for pediatric neurosurgery, you get:
Many children with craniofacial conditions benefit from having multiple procedures performed at once. Our pediatric neurosurgeons work side by side with craniofacial and plastic surgeons, reducing the need for multiple surgeries and recovery periods.
Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital is recognized as a Level IV Epilepsy Center, offering comprehensive evaluations and a full range of advanced surgical options for children with epilepsy.
Our hospitals are home to one of only three Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers in New Jersey, ensuring that children have access to an extensive network of pediatric experts across specialties.
