Pediatric
Stroke
Most people realize stroke is one of the
leading causes of death and disability in this country. What
most people don’t realize, is that stroke can also occur in
children. Yes, children. Stroke can occur in adolescence,
childhood, infancy or even intrauterine
(in utero)
before a child is even born.
Statistics
There is a large lack of information in
the area of pediatric stroke. The most recent statistics
(1996)
showed the occurrence of stroke in children is about 2.5 cases
per 100,000 children per year occurring more frequently in
children under the age of two
(footnote).
Symptoms of stroke in children are similar to those in adults,
with some notable differences. Children under the age of four
often have seizures present at the onset of the stroke. Other
symptoms in infants or very young children can be paralysis of
one side of the body and coma. In older children symptoms often
include sudden paralysis of one side of the body, vision and/or
swallowing difficulties.
Are all pediatric
strokes the same?
There are two main types of stroke. The
most common is hemorrhagic stroke, which is a burst in a blood
vessel in the brain. A clot in a blood vessel of the brain
causes Ischemic stroke, which occurs less often. Both types of
strokes cause lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause brain
damage. In certain instances, children can even suffer bilateral
strokes
(which are usually
hemorrhagic, but in rarer instances can be Ischemic).
A bilateral stroke is a stroke that occurs on both sides of the
brain. It does not have an official statistic, but I have been
told that it is somewhere in the area of 1 case in 1,000,000
cases of stroke
(in children and
adults combined).
Bilateral strokes can be twice as damaging as a one sided
stroke.
Known Causes of Stroke
in Children
The most common cause of stroke in
children is a heart disorder, usually a developmental defect in
the structure of the heart. Blood disorders
(i.e. Sickle Cell Anemia, defects of the
blood clotting mechanism)
and certain genetic disorders are next commonest. Pediatric
stroke can also be caused by a variety of other things
including, but not limited to; infections, abnormal
arterial-venous connections in the brain and trauma to the head
(footnote).
In most cases the cause of stroke in children is unknown.
Can the Damage a
Pediatric Stroke Causes Be Fixed?
The answer to this
question is no. There is no cure for brain damage caused by
pediatric stroke or brain damage in general. There are, however,
treatment options for the effects of brain damage from pediatric
stroke. These therapies can include but are not limited to;
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Early
Intervention, Vision Therapy, Aquatic Therapy, Hippo therapy and
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy just to name a few.
Can Pediatric Stroke
Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a
general term for brain damage in a child under two. Pediatric
stroke results in brain damage, but technically the brain damage
received from pediatric stroke is not cerebral palsy. Some
children can completely recover from a stroke, with no lasting
effects. For most however, the stroke can leave a lifetime of
lasting effects ranging from mild to severe. These effects
almost always mimic the effects of cerebral palsy. The
treatments for both types of brain damage are the same. The only
real difference between a child with CP and a child that has
brain damage as a result of stroke is the cause, which is why
most doctors will avoid the confusion by just stating that the
post stroke child has CP.
Why Do You Know So Much
About Pediatric Stroke?
On October 2, 1997 my
perfectly healthy two-week-old son suffered a massive bilateral
stroke, cause still unknown. I found myself thrust into the
world of special needs. I felt bewildered, confused and
helpless. Every parent copes with this adjustment in a different
way. My way was to learn as much as I possibly could about
pediatric stroke. I am not a doctor, nor am I in the medical
field. I am simply a parent that deals with pediatric stroke and
it’s effects on a daily basis. My goal is to share what I have
learned with other parents that have found themselves in the
same situation.
Is There Support
Available For Parents Dealing With Pediatric Stroke?
Yes! There are many other parents across the globe dealing with
the same issues, emotions, joys and struggles. In April of 1999,
with the help of many loving parents, including CPN’s founder,
Dena Kirchoff, the Pediatric Stroke Network
(PSN)
was born. PSN is an online support group
for parents and families of pediatric stroke survivors. By using
message boards, stroke information, scheduled chats, stories by
parents, therapy information and an email loop
(PSN’s online information exchange and
support group)
we have made a home
for all parents sharing the experience of pediatric stroke. PSN
is also a registered support group with the American Heart
Association and is also fully endorsed and partially sponsored
by the Cerebral Palsy Network. A common thread brings us all
together; together we CAN make a difference in the lives of our
own children, and in the lives of the children who will walk in
their footsteps.
Kids
and Strokes
Credit for this article goes to Racheal Hoffeman. Thank you for
all you do for CPN and PSN
Pediatric Stroke Network has continued to grow and develop
despite the fact that Racheal Hoffeman has chosen to step down
and take her talents and abilities to her homefront and be a
full time mother. please take a moment to visit you will enjoy
your time there. Those that are carrying on our dream of PSN are
doing an outstanding job. You can find there link on the left
side of your screen.
