A Stroke is a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain. As a result, the particular part of the brain where blood does not flow, begin to die. The speech and movement begin to suffer as the effect of the stroke take place.
Stroke is not a disease that only adults suffer children too can get it. Stroke in children is uncommon but not rare anymore. According to research done from over 200 children, 80% have suffered a stroke due to abnormalities in the blood vessels or arteries. These abnormalities are a result in a tear in the artery wall, narrowing, inflammation and due to infectious diseases. Also children having a pre-existent medical condition such as sickle cell anemia or congenital heart disease are more likely to get a stroke. Chickenpox, iron deficiency anaemia or recent infections are also likely causes for stroke.
Children like adults have difficulty in speech and movement. But identifying a stroke in toddlers is a difficult task, and one must watch for imbalances in the child or changes in the face such as drooping and slurring of speech. Symptoms in newborns are less specific, the commonest sign being seizers. Quite often stroke in infants cannot be detected until the first year as it is only with the infant’s growth that certain abnormalities can be observed. In older children the symptoms are the same as adults, numbness on one side, weakness, dizziness or trouble walking.
Children do not generally complain of pain but stroke in some of the older children have been identified with head-aches when getting an attack. Once a child with a stroke is identified brain scans such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) is done in order to find out the area that has been affected and accordingly these children are treated depending on the extent of the damage.
It is the belief that children suffering from a stroke recover fully than adults, but the reality is that children recover differently than adults. It is heartening to note that the children suffer with mild attacks and progress and recovery is visible within the first few months of the initial stroke. Occupational therapy and physiotherapy are helpful for the child’s rehabilitation and parents are advised as to what should be done at home and in school in order to get the child to normalcy. Ultra sound screening has proven to be highly successful to prevent stroke in children suffering from sickle cell disease, as with blood transfusion stroke can be prevented.
It is important that these children be given immediate treatment to avoid further damage to the brain. Stroke is preventable. It is best that parents be aware of this life threatening disease, and if in doubt or feel that there is a likelihood of their child getting a stroke that proper attention is given without delay.
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