Earlier this year, in an extremely rare medical situation, two sisters aged 10 and 4 started having sudden weakness on one side of the body. Diagnosis revealed, both were suffering from a rare brain disorder called Moyamoya diseases that caused transient ischemic attacks or popularly called stroke. The siblings were taken to Manipal Hospital, Bangalore where they underwent surgery.
The case above, bust a popular myth that stroke happens only in older people. Here, Dr. Pawan Ojha, Neurologist, Fortis Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai talks about the condition and how as parents one can spot it.
“A stroke happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off. There are two main types of stroke, a) Ischaemic strokes, are caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain and b) Haemorrhagic strokes, occurring when blood leaks from a burst blood vessel into the brain. In children, both types of stroke are equally common,” Dr. Ojha explains.
What are the symptoms of stroke in children?
Stroke in children can sometimes be difficult to recognise. The effects of the stroke may not be so noticeable if your child is very young and in the early stages of development, or if their symptoms are mild.
Dr. Ojha says, “Some children may not even have any symptoms. In babies up to 28 days old, seizures are a common symptom of stroke. Children aged from 28 days old to 18 years may experience weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, facial drooping, speech problems and headaches. These symptoms are most commonly associated with ischaemic strokes. Symptoms for haemorrhagic strokes can be vomiting, seizures and occasional headaches. For some children, the stroke is first detected when problems arise with their learning and development.”
Does stroke present in differently in children as compared to adults?
Common manifestations of stroke are weakness of face, arm and legs along with difficulty in speaking or understanding. Dr. Ojha adds, “Often stroke in children is difficult to diagnose early as it may present as only irritability of the child.”
What are the common causes of stroke in children?
There are several causes of stroke in children which can be broadly classified into:
a) Heart disorders: This cause up to 25% of ischaemic strokes in children. They can be a result of congenital heart disease.
b) Blood disorders: Blood disorders like sickles disease is another risk factor for stroke children, as in this disorder, the red blood cells change from their normal round shape to a sickle (half-moon) shape, and hence become less flexible with the possibility of getting stuck in the blood vessels thereby leading to a stroke.
c) Infections: Infections have also been associated with ischaemic stroke for example, chicken pox, tuberculosis, meningitis etc.
d) Vascular disorders: Blood vessels may be become abnormal and clot in children due to various reasons e.g. rare conditions such as arterial dissection (tear), moyamoya syndrome (blocking and puffing of vessels) and vasculitis (inflammation).
Diagnosing these condition early and providing proper medications and treatment on time, works as a preventive measure for parents.
Treatment and recovery in children
Neurologist are often able to dissolve or remove the clot blocked in an artery. Many people believe that children fully recover after stroke because their brain is still developing.
“It is more accurate to say that children are better at adapting to the effects of stroke. Speech therapist, recreation and occupational therapist and psychologist also play important part in rehabilitation,” Dr. Ojha elucidates.
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