Frequently associated with adults, Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) can occur in any age group. Newborns and children with heart disease, changes in brain vessels or genetic diseases that favor the formation of thrombi (clots that impede blood circulation) are more likely to suffer from the disease.
The causes of childhood stroke are different from those that affect adults. They also differ between those that occur during pregnancy or in the first weeks of life, the so-called perinatal strokes, and those that occur after this period.
“In the case of perinatal stroke, there are risk factors related to the pregnant woman, such as systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes, preeclampsia, use of illicit drugs, and others related to the newborn, such as hematological disorders (in the blood), heart disease , infections, trauma and dehydration. Already, among the risk factors associated with stroke in childhood and adolescence, arterial, cardiac and hematological diseases are more common”, explains neurologist Ana Carolina Coan, vice-coordinator of the Scientific Department of Child Neurology at ABN (Brazilian Academy of Neurology).
The most common symptom of childhood stroke is paralysis of one of the limbs or one side of the body. Difficulty in speaking or understanding what they hear and in articulating speech, dizziness, imbalance and double vision are also observed. Unlike what happens in adults, in children other common symptoms are epileptic seizures, headaches, confusion, irritability and behavioral changes.
In perinatal episodes, the most common symptom is the epileptic seizure. The newborn may be drowsy or have a change in breathing pattern. Many children are asymptomatic in the first weeks or months of life. “After the neonatal period, the child may present any sudden neurological symptom or sign”, reinforces the neurologist.
Diagnosis is made from imaging examination, such as tomography. In cases of newborns, they can eventually be identified in a prenatal ultrasound examination. Strokes in childhood differ from those that occur in adults in relation to risk factors, symptoms and also in relation to treatment.
In the case of adults, there is the possibility of using medication in the first hours after the accident, to dissolve the clot and reduce the chances of neurological sequelae. In children, the safety and efficacy of using this medication have yet to be determined. If the person responsible realizes that the child or adolescent is having a stroke, they must quickly refer them to a medical emergency service.
“After these first measures of the acute phase, it is important to proceed with the investigation of the possible causes associated with the stroke, in addition to the initiation, as early as possible, of rehabilitation therapies, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. This step is very important, as strokes in childhood have a significant impact on neurodevelopment, with the possibility of physical and intellectual difficulties in the long term”, explains the doctor.
The good news is that, in some cases, strokes are preventable. There are some risk factors associated with strokes in childhood, such as maternal gestational diseases that can be identified and treated, thus preventing their occurrence.
Frequently associated with adults, Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA) can occur in any age group. Newborns and children with heart disease, changes in brain vessels or genetic diseases that favor the formation of thrombi (clots that impede blood circulation) are more likely to suffer from the disease.
The causes of childhood stroke are different from those that affect adults. They also differ between those that occur during pregnancy or in the first weeks of life, the so-called perinatal strokes, and those that occur after this period.
“In the case of perinatal stroke, there are risk factors related to the pregnant woman, such as systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes, preeclampsia, use of illicit drugs, and others related to the newborn, such as hematological disorders (in the blood), heart disease , infections, trauma and dehydration. Already, among the risk factors associated with stroke in childhood and adolescence, arterial, cardiac and hematological diseases are more common”, explains neurologist Ana Carolina Coan, vice-coordinator of the Scientific Department of Child Neurology at ABN (Brazilian Academy of Neurology).
The most common symptom of childhood stroke is paralysis of one of the limbs or one side of the body. Difficulty in speaking or understanding what they hear and in articulating speech, dizziness, imbalance and double vision are also observed. Unlike what happens in adults, in children other common symptoms are epileptic seizures, headaches, confusion, irritability and behavioral changes.
In perinatal episodes, the most common symptom is the epileptic seizure. The newborn may be drowsy or have a change in breathing pattern. Many children are asymptomatic in the first weeks or months of life. “After the neonatal period, the child may present any sudden neurological symptom or sign”, reinforces the neurologist.
Diagnosis is made from imaging examination, such as tomography. In cases of newborns, they can eventually be identified in a prenatal ultrasound examination. Strokes in childhood differ from those that occur in adults in relation to risk factors, symptoms and also in relation to treatment.
In the case of adults, there is the possibility of using medication in the first hours after the accident, to dissolve the clot and reduce the chances of neurological sequelae. In children, the safety and efficacy of using this medication have yet to be determined. If the person responsible realizes that the child or adolescent is having a stroke, they must quickly refer them to a medical emergency service.
“After these first measures of the acute phase, it is important to proceed with the investigation of the possible causes associated with the stroke, in addition to the initiation, as early as possible, of rehabilitation therapies, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. This step is very important, as strokes in childhood have a significant impact on neurodevelopment, with the possibility of physical and intellectual difficulties in the long term”, explains the doctor.
The good news is that, in some cases, strokes are preventable. There are some risk factors associated with strokes in childhood, such as maternal gestational diseases that can be identified and treated, thus preventing their occurrence.
