How to detect and respond to stroke in children

Did you know kids can experience strokes? While rare, pediatric strokes can happen, and knowing how to spot the signs and act can make all the difference. Division chief of pediatric neurology at Riley Children’s Health, Christopher Jackman, MD, shares insight on how to detect pediatric stroke and how to respond quickly when it happens.

“Stroke in children is a life-threatening condition,” Dr. Jackman said. “As a parent, it’s important to recognize the signs of stroke and how to respond to it. With early recognition and treatment, stroke can be a manageable condition.”

Understanding pediatric stroke

A pediatric stroke occurs when the blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted. When this happens, the brain does not receive the blood and oxygen it needs to function, causing damaged brain cells. Stroke can occur at any age, although it is most high risk in children with sickle cell disease, blood clotting disorders or abnormally formed blood vessels in the brain. Other risk factors may include heart problems, high blood pressure, birth defects or head injury. There are two main types of strokes in children:

1. Ischemic stroke: Occurs when the blood flow to the brain is blocked
2. Hemorrhagic stroke: Occurs when a blood vessel bleeds into the brain

Recognizing pediatric stroke symptoms

Strokes symptoms often start abruptly and do not resolve quickly. Here are some of the common pediatric stroke symptoms to watch for in adolescents and teens:

• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Changes in behavior or thinking
• Vision problems in one or both eyes
• Abrupt formation of severe headache without a prior history
• Dizziness or sudden loss of balance or coordination

For newborns and toddlers, symptoms of stroke might include seizures or a noticeable drop in alertness.

Responding to a stroke

Once you’ve recognized a stroke, it is important to stay calm and call 911 immediately.

"Time is essential for pediatric stroke," Dr. Jackman added. "The quicker you can respond, the better the chances are of minimizing your child’s blood damage."

Diagnosing a pediatric stroke

Diagnosis begins with a simple review of symptoms and health history. From there, a physician will likely perform several diagnostic tests, such as:

• Brain imaging, like an MRI or CT scan, to detect brain injury or blood clots
• Blood tests to check for any underlying conditions
• Heart tests to assess if a heart problem may have led to the stroke

Preventative measures and lifestyle changes

Some children may be prone to more strokes in the future. While not always preventable, there are ways to reduce these strokes:

• Follow up regularly with your primary care provider
• Take medications as prescribed
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet
• Avoid smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke

While a pediatric stroke can be overwhelming to navigate, knowing how to recognize the signs and respond quickly can greatly protect your child’s health and improve their overall wellbeing.

“The care team here at Riley Children’s is always committed to staying at the forefront of pediatric stroke,” Dr. Jackman said. “We’re always looking toward the most advanced technologies and research to minimize stroke and offer children the best chance of recovery and quality of life.”