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King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Dr. Musaad Abukhaled is a Saudi Consultant Pediatric Neurologist specializing in pediatric epilepsy and pediatric stroke, with a particular professional interest in complex neurological disorders, rare inherited neurological diseases, and neurogenetic conditions. He is affiliated with the Neuroscience Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he has held senior clinical and leadership responsibilities.
He is currently identified by the Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society as Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Epilepsy and Stroke and Deputy Director of the Neuroscience Centre of Excellence at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre. Earlier SPNS profiles identified him as Section Head of Pediatric Neurology.
Dr. Abukhaled pursued advanced subspecialty training in pediatric neurology and pediatric stroke. A British Paediatric Neurology Association document listing graduates of the Pediatric Stroke Fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Canada, records Dr. Abukhaled as a Pediatric Stroke Fellow during 2014–2015, with his subsequent position listed as Pediatric Neurologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh.
His specialist career has subsequently developed around pediatric neurological conditions, particularly epilepsy, stroke, neurogenetic disease and rare neurological disorders.
Dr. Abukhaled's principal professional affiliation is with the Neuroscience Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh.
His publicly documented roles include:
The SPNS has repeatedly listed him in these roles, including its 8th Annual Conference, 10th Annual Conference and current faculty listings.
Dr. Abukhaled's clinical expertise encompasses several areas of pediatric neurology, particularly:
His research and clinical publications demonstrate particular involvement in rare neurometabolic disorders and epilepsy, including aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, tuberous sclerosis complex and KCTD7-related progressive myoclonic epilepsy.
Dr. Abukhaled has contributed to peer-reviewed research addressing rare neurological and genetic disorders affecting children.
One of his important areas of research has been aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder. In 2023, he was the corresponding author of a Frontiers in Pediatrics case report describing three Saudi patients with AADC deficiency. The work documented the clinical presentation of these patients and highlighted the importance of recognizing this rare, potentially treatable neurometabolic disorder.
He was also the corresponding author of a larger 2023 European Journal of Pediatrics case series and literature review on AADC deficiency in Middle Eastern countries. The study brought together cases and expertise from several institutions across Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries and contributed to improving recognition of AADC deficiency within the region.
Dr. Abukhaled has also participated in research concerning tuberous sclerosis complex and epilepsy. A 2018 retrospective study published in Translational Neuroscience examined the clinical spectrum and epilepsy characteristics of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, with Dr. Abukhaled among the investigators from the Department of Neuroscience at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center.
His more recent research includes participation in the international study “KCTD7-related progressive myoclonic epilepsy: Report of 42 cases and review of literature,” published in Epilepsia in 2024. The study examined the clinical and genetic characteristics of individuals with KCTD7-related progressive myoclonic epilepsy and included investigators from King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center.
A significant aspect of Dr. Abukhaled's academic profile is his contribution to the diagnosis and characterization of rare inherited neurological diseases.
His work on AADC deficiency is particularly notable because the disorder can cause severe motor, developmental and neurological impairment. His Saudi case series helped document the disorder in patients from the Kingdom and emphasized the need for increased clinical awareness and appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
He has also participated in a large 2024 Gulf Cooperation Council consensus publication on the diagnosis and management of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The publication brought together pediatric neurologists, geneticists, oncologists and other specialists from across the GCC to address diagnostic and management challenges associated with NF1 in the region.
Dr. Abukhaled was also a co-author of the Saudi consensus statement on the management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, published in Frontiers in Pediatrics in 2021.
The consensus brought together pediatric neurology and neuromuscular specialists from Saudi Arabia to provide recommendations for maintaining appropriate care of children with DMD during the pandemic.
Dr. Abukhaled has been an active participant in the educational activities of the Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society.
He has appeared as faculty at several SPNS conferences. At the 8th Annual SPNS Conference, he was listed as Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Epilepsy and Stroke and Section Head of Pediatric Neurology at KFSH&RC.
He was also included in the 10th SPNS Conference faculty and leadership listings.
At the 11th Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society Conference and Workshops, he served as Chairman of the Congress. The SPNS identified him as Consultant Pediatric Neurology, Epilepsy and Stroke and Deputy Director of the Neuroscience Centre of Excellence at KFSH&RC.
He is also listed among SPNS session chairs and moderators, demonstrating his ongoing involvement in professional education and scientific programming.
Dr. Abukhaled has participated as faculty in the Saudi Rare Disease Summit, where he has been listed as a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist specializing in epilepsy and stroke and Section Head of Pediatric Neurology at KFSH&RC.
His participation in rare-disease meetings complements his research in AADC deficiency, neurogenetic disorders and other complex pediatric neurological diseases.
Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society (SPNS)
Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society (SPNS)