Dr. Simon Kayyal, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine, recently joined Texas Children’s neurology team. He will develop and co-lead the Neuro-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Neuro-NICU) with Texas Children’s Neonatologist Dr. Jeffrey Kaiser, a professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine.
Kayyal received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston before completing his residency in pediatrics and child neurology at UT Southwestern Children’s Hospital of Dallas.
During his postdoctoral training, Kayyal observed many children and adolescent patients with irreversible brain injuries, which immediately sparked his interest in neonatal neurology. Kayyal thought, “The earlier we diagnose and treat neurologic disease, the better chance we have for improving the developmental and overall outcome of our premature and critically ill infants.”
This common goal fueled Kayyal’s passion to collaborate with neonatologists to develop Texas Children’s Neuro-NICU program. “Our goal is to help babies born with severe neurologic issues be able to enjoy life without impairments,” said Kayyal, who will also create a protocol to determine where newborns will follow-up once they have been discharged from the Neuro-NICU.
Just like a cardiovascular NICU houses newborns with heart disease, infants with neurologic disease would be treated in the Neuro-NICU where they would receive multidisciplinary care from specialists in neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery, developmental medicine and neuroradiology. The plan is to also include an MRI machine in the Neuro-NICU that would eliminate the need to transport unstable infants to other parts of the hospital.
“We want to minimize families’ anxieties during this critical time,” said Kayyal. “When they see neurologists, neonatologists, and neurosurgeons working in unison to determine the best treatment plan for their child, they know their infant is receiving the best care possible to improve their outcomes.”
The Neuro-NICU service will eventually include Texas Children’s other neurology services, like the hypothermia program led by Dr. Kaiser. The hypothermia program provides whole body cooling treatment for newborns who are oxygen deprived at birth, reducing their potential risk for severe neurologic damage.
“Dr. Kayyal is bringing an exciting vision to the neurology team with plans to better serve our patients and their families,” said Dr. Gary Clark, chief of Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience at Texas Children’s. “We are pleased to have him join our team to bring more capabilities and expertise to our division.”
In addition to this new role, Kayyal lectures medical students rotating through the neurology clerkship to help them prepare for the neurology shelf exams. He also provides specialized lectures to residents and fellows to prep them for the board exams and get better acquainted with the hospital and outpatient settings.
“I am excited to pursue my passion at Texas Children’s and work alongside some of the best physicians in our specialty,” said Kayyal. “Returning home to Houston is an added plus.”