My two cents-
Before you decide on peds neuro, it might be helpful to shadow/work with a pediatric neurologist in their clinic, I have done it and liked it alot, but it is much different from well-child visit in a general pediatrician's office, if you like working with children who are sick instead of well-visits then I would suggest child neuro. Also, remember you have two patients --the child and the parents! The parents are often struggling with dealing with their child's illness, often having read through more books on the topic than you and can sometimes be sad, but it is great if you love giving information to people and reassurance and providing support as their child's doctor. IMHO, the pediatricians that I worked with on my peds rotation did much different work than child neurologists as they were intensivists who saw mostly asthma exacerbations, GI stuff, and acute inpatient stuff, which someone needs to do, but didn't really have the long term relationship with their patients or try to change meds and therapy regimes to help their patients. Also, general child neurology has a HUGE social component, i.e. helping parents who needs special education for kids, setting up resources, I worked with a child neurologist and she told the adult neurology resident from MGH that this isn't probably what the resident expected, and the resident agreed, i.e. there were alot of development cases, learning disabilities, but it varies depending on what you are specializing in, there appear to be alot of fellowships AFTER neurology or child neurology residency i.e. neuroimmunology, neurogenetics etc . . . I plan to do one of these to see more medically complicated children, but whatever you decide to do in childneurology you will be needed, which is sort of satisfying in itself, including academics. So I guess the morale is shadow a child neurologist, they will probably let you observe them with their patients and you can ask alot of questions about the field. Just my 2 cents!
