Stroke Awareness Month: Do kids get strokes?
Yes, kids can suffer strokes.
Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is restricted, either from clots that form within the brain, clots that form outside the brain and travel into the brain, or from decreased blood flow to the brain.
“Recognizing stroke in a timely manner is essential because early treatment can improve outcomes,” says Pin-Yi Ko, MD, pediatric neurologist at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. “Strokes aren’t as common in children as they are in adults, so diagnosis can take longer — and unfortunately that has led to disparities and missed opportunities in treatments, because by the time the diagnosis is made, some children no longer qualify for time-sensitive treatment.”
While most of the attention during Stroke Awareness Month is focused on adults, it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of pediatric stroke as well. Mary Bridge Children’s treats dozens of children for symptoms of pediatric stroke every year.
Dr. Ko is part of a collaborative medical team of physicians and providers at Mary Bridge Children’s that is developing a plan for evaluation and treatment of patients with suspected and diagnosed stroke using the latest guidance and technologies in pediatric medicine. This team is working on system-wide clinical care pathways to improve and expedite pediatric stroke diagnosis.
Risk factors for pediatric stroke
Pediatric strokes can happen to children of any age and even before a baby is born. Infants within several weeks of birth are most at risk for stroke, specifically perinatal stroke.
Important risk factors for stroke in infants and children:
- Congenital heart disease
- Abnormal blood vessels
- Clotting disorders
- Meningitis
- Trauma
Children with sickle cell disease — a congenital blood disorder affecting one in 2,400 children and one in 400 Black children — are 100 times more at risk for stroke than children without the disease, according to American Stroke Association.
Identifying pediatric stroke
Symptoms of pediatric stroke are similar to adult stroke. Using the acronym BE FAST can help if you suspect your child, or a child near you, is suffering a stroke:
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- Eyes: Blurry vision or loss of vision
- Face: Droopy face or uneven smile
- Arm: Weakness in one arm
- Speech: Slurred speech
- Time: Call 911 right away
The child or infant may also have numbness and/or seizures. Pay particular attention to any symptoms that only affect one side of the body.
Treatment, effects and recovery from pediatric stroke
Each child’s recovery looks different and is dependent on the severity of the stroke, how soon they received medical treatment, and their age and overall health.
For all children with stroke, physical therapy and rehabilitation medicine play a huge role in the recovery process. Specific nursing procedures may be necessary as well, depending on the severity and timing of the stroke. Some children might also benefit from “clot busting” therapies, such as medication infusions.
Learn more about Mary Bridge Children’s robust pediatric neurology services, including programs available to support patients and families through the various stages of medical diagnosis and treatment.