Pediatric Stroke Awareness
Understand the F.A.S.T. system to save the life of a child
F for Face: Ask the child to smile. Does the smile droop on one side? A for Arms: Ask the child to raise his/her arms. Is one-sided weakness or difficulty apparent? S for Speech: Ask the child to repeat a simple sentence. Do words sound slurred or is it difficult to repeat? T for Time: Time is Critical! Call 9-1-1 if any of the signs above are apparent. If you think your infant or children has had a stroke, please don’t hesitate to take action. Early diagnosis is very important. You are your child’s best advocate! |
What is a Pediatric Stroke?
There are two types of strokes:
There are two types of strokes:
- Ischemic stroke is brain damage resulting from the blockage of a blood vessel, typically by a blood clot.
- Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain from the rupture of a blood vessel.
- Perinatal, prenatal or in utero all refer to strokes occurring before birth.
- Neonatal or newborn refers to strokes occurring from birth up to one month of age.
- Childhood refers to strokes occurring from one month up to 18 years old.
What is the Occurrence of Pediatric Stroke?
Perinatal stroke occurs in roughly 1 in 4,000 births.
For children 1 month-18 years old, stroke occurs in roughly 10 out of 100,000 children. About half of those strokes are due to hemorrhage and the other half due to blockade of an artery.
5-10% of children will die from their stroke.
Pediatric Stroke is the 6th leading cause of death in children.
Perinatal stroke occurs in roughly 1 in 4,000 births.
For children 1 month-18 years old, stroke occurs in roughly 10 out of 100,000 children. About half of those strokes are due to hemorrhage and the other half due to blockade of an artery.
5-10% of children will die from their stroke.
Pediatric Stroke is the 6th leading cause of death in children.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Stroke?
Infants
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Children
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Why is diagnosis of Pediatric Stroke missed or delayed?
- An infant commonly may not present with symptoms for several months as his/her brain has not matured enough to show symptoms of a stroke.
- Non-use of affected upper limb is wrongly attributed to normal hand preference.
- Delays in crawling and walking are wrongly attributed to normal “lateness.”
- Many children who have suffered a stroke develop normal or near-normal language and cognitive functioning, therefore not raising suspicion.
- Many children with stroke syndromes are misdiagnosed with more common conditions that mimic stroke, such as migraines, epilepsy or viral illnesses.
What are some common causes of Pediatric Stroke?
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In roughly 33% of newborns and 25% of children, no explanation is found. |
What are the long term effects of Pediatric Stroke?
More than 85% of newborns who have a stroke survive to adulthood.
More than 50% of infants and children will have significant long term neurological disabilities including:
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