Can Children Have Strokes?

There are no age restrictions when it comes to stroke. Although some potential risk factors are different, the changes in blood flow to the brain are the same at any age. 

Our physicians at Coast Neurosurgical Associates include specialists in pediatric neurosurgery and are experts in caring for children who experience pediatric stroke. While most children recover from their experience, recognizing the symptoms of a stroke and seeking medical care quickly improves long-term outcomes. 

A rare condition

Although much more common in adults, about 2,000 children experience strokes each year in the United States, including about 1 in 4,000 newborns. A child’s risk of stroke is greatest before the age of one. Fortunately, children usually recover from strokes more easily than adults because their brains are still growing. 

Symptoms of pediatric stroke

Since the condition is rare, diagnosing strokes in children can be delayed since they are unexpected events. Knowing the signs of stroke is important for a parent to learn, even though you probably won’t need to act on your knowledge. 

Signs of stroke in newborns are different than in adults. You might observe symptoms like: 

• Altered mental states
• Extreme sleepiness
• Seizures
• Movement dominant on one side of the body

Older children tend to display symptoms more like that of adult strokes. Things to watch for include: 

• Sudden confusion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Numbness or weakness, most often on one side of the body
• Speech difficulties, including slurred words
• Unable to understand simple sentences
• Loss of consciousness
• Vision issues
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Unusual sleepiness
• Seizure
• Partial paralysis

The American Stroke Association recommends using the F.A.S.T. acronym to evaluate stroke symptoms. 

• Face drooping: one side of the face may droop or feel numb, and asking your child to form a smile shows unevenness
• Arm weakness: ask your child to raise their arms and suspect a stroke if one arm resists movement or drops down
• Speech slurring: your child may speak unintelligibly or not at all during a stroke
• Time to call 911: fast response is necessary, so call 911 immediately after observing one or more of these symptoms

It’s possible that the symptoms may pass as suddenly as they began. However, immediate medical care prevents recurrence. Ignoring stroke symptoms can have potentially deadly consequences. 

Treating pediatric strokes

The specifics of treatment depend on the type of stroke. In most cases, receiving treatment quickly improves the patient’s outlook. 

Often, the first-line treatment for stroke is blood thinners to make it easier for blood to reach all parts of the brain. Anti-seizure medication may be necessary if a seizure occurred. 

Interventional neuroradiology uses techniques like catheters and stents to restore normal blood flow. Surgery may be needed for abnormal or irregular blood vessels or other brain conditions contributing to the stroke. 

Should symptoms of stroke present in your child, call 911 and seek immediate care. Call or click for follow-up care with Coast Neurosurgical Associates to ensure your child recovers fully from their event.