StrokeSurvivorBlog

Grunts and groans filled the large therapy room as the blonde stroke survivor across from us tried to move her arm on a skateboard strapped to her hand. The therapist stimulated her young patient’s bicep with a vibrator to encourage more movement, but she was able to move her arm only a few inches.

The right corner of her mouth drooped and the only words 11 yr. old Lacey could say were okay and yeah. With great effort she tried her best to move her arm. Every eye in the therapy room was upon her and we all quietly cheered her on. Her parents were there encouraging her to keep trying, but when Lacey couldn’t move her arm, her disappointment was obvious to all.

We didn’t see her again, but several weeks later in the therapy room we saw a message written on a dry erase board. It said, “Lacey walked 500 steps.” Tears came to my eyes as I remembered the joy I felt when my husband took his first 12 steps after his stroke, and I rejoiced over Lacey’s success.

It was strange seeing someone so young in stroke rehab. But in the United States, stroke occurs in about six out of every 100,000 children, according to the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association. The rate is even higher for infants: around one in 4,000.

Causes of Childhood Stroke

Strokes in adults often can be blamed on high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a history of smoking, too much alcohol and obesity.

In contrast, children’s strokes are more often caused by:

• birth defects
• infections (eg, meningitis, encephalitis)
• trauma
• blood disorders such as sickle cell disease

Related Disabilities

Stroke-related disabilities is another area where childhood and adult stroke survivors can differ.

Due to brain cell damage caused by the stroke, both children and adults who have strokes often have problems with:

• speech and communication
• paralysis or weakness on one side

But there are some stroke-related disabilities that are unique to children, including:

• cerebral palsy
• mental retardation
• epilepsy

Other stroke complications for children are:

• fever
• change of mental state
• poor nutrition and conditions that result from prolonged bedrest

Babies and Stroke

Babies who have strokes in the womb or within the first month of life are especially at risk for cerebral palsy.  While in the womb, a baby needs oxygen-rich blood so that its brain can develop and grow.  When a stroke occurs, the blood and oxygen do not flow to all parts of the brain.  This causes brain damage in the growing brain, which can cause cerebral palsy.

Also, during and shortly following the delivery, babies can be at risk for stroke if there are problems with the brain getting enough oxygen.  This is particulary true in the premature babies.

There is good news.

Childhood Stroke Is Rare
The incidence of stroke in children is relatively low — about three cases in every 100,000 children per year.  Strokes are slightly more common in children under the age of two.

Children Heal Better
While strokes in children can be devastating, children have a better ability to heal because of the greater plasticity or flexibility of the child’s nervous system and brain.  A child’s brain is still developing, therefore it may have a greater ability to repair itself.  With the help of physical and speech therapy, most childhood stroke survivors recover the use of their arms, legs and speech.

F.A.S.T. Action Improves Impact
The most effective stroke treatments must be given within the first 3 hours after stroke symptoms start.  By recognizing signs of stroke in children and acting fast, you can help medical professionals lessen a stroke’s damage to the child’s brain.

Childhood stroke symptoms are similar to those of adult stroke:

• a severe headache — often the first complaint
• speech difficulties
• eye movement problems
• numbness

Use the following tool to help you think F.A.S.T.:

FACE: Ask the child to smile. Does one side droop?