Pediatric Stroke
A blood clot or a ruptured blood artery can block or stop blood flow to a part of the brain, resulting in a stroke. Brain injury may result from either of these events, when brain cells start to die.
12 out of every 100,000 children under the age of 18 and 25 out of every 100,000 infants suffer from pediatric stroke. The sixth most common cause of mortality for kids is stroke. Youngsters who might have a stroke include:
- Newborns, especially full-term infants
- Older children with sickle cell anemia, congenital heart defects, immune disorders or problems with blood clotting
- Previously healthy children who are found to have hidden disorders such as narrow blood vessels or a tendency to form blood clots easily
In the majority of youngsters, stroke recognition is frequently delayed or completely absent. Many children with stroke syndromes receive incorrect diagnoses for more prevalent disorders such migraines, epilepsy, or viral infections that resemble stroke.
In order to maximize long-term functional results and reduce the chance of a recurrence, early detection and treatment during the initial hours and days following a stroke are essential.