What is Pediatric Stroke?

A pediatric stroke is a brain injury caused by the interruption of blood flow to part of the brain in Children. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen, which is carried by the blood. When blood flow stops, brain cells start to die. Stroke is more common in adults. Because stroke is seen as less likely in a child, diagnosis may be delayed. The risk of pediatric stroke is highest in the newborn period.

What are the risk refactors?

In many children, no direct cause can be found for stroke, but below is a list of conditions that increase the risk for stroke.

• Birth defects
• Blood clotting problems
• Heart problem
• Head and spinal injuries
• Viral Infections
• Migraine headache
• Some metabolic disorders

Symptoms of stroke in newborns and older children

Symptoms of stroke in children vary widely depending on the age of the child and the cause of the stroke.

In newborns, the most common symptoms are:

• Seizures
• Extreme sleepiness
• Tendency to use only one side of the body

In older children, stroke symptoms may include:

• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face
• Sudden, severe headache
• Seizure
• Trouble moving the eyes, loss of vision or double vision
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Trouble speaking or understanding words

Treatment of stroke in children

Treatment works best if it is started as soon as possible after a stroke occurs. It is important to see a doctor immediately. Treatment depends on the cause of the stroke and may include

• Intravenous (IV) fluids to avoid or reverse dehydration
• Medicine to treat blood clots or to thin the blood
• Oxygen
• Surgery for some specific cases