Strokes in kids: Know the signs

Strokes can happen in children more often than many people realize, and the symptoms may look different than they do in adults.

“Just like with adults, getting timely treatment for kids experiencing a stroke gives them the best chance at a full recovery,” says Michael Dowling, MD, PhD, Pediatric Neurologist, Medical Director of the Pediatric Stroke Clinic at Children’s Health^℠ and Professor at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Dowling shares important facts and symptoms of strokes in kids to prepare and educate parents and caregivers.

What is a stroke?

Strokes can happen when blood flow to the brain is interrupted.

This can happen because of heart conditions, problems with blood vessels, infections or other reasons. Strokes are a medical emergency. Getting care quickly is very important for recovery and long-term health.

How common is childhood stroke?

The risk of stroke from birth through age 18 is approximately 11 per 100,000 children. However, it’s most commonly seen before a child is 2.

“It’s more common than most parents and doctors realize. In fact, stroke occurs as often as leukemia and brain tumors in children,” says Dr. Dowling. “The good news is that children tend to recover faster and more fully from a neurological injury like stroke.”

Signs of a stroke in a baby or toddler

The signs of a stroke can be subtle in babies or toddlers because young kids can’t always communicate how they feel and don’t know what’s normal.

Signs of stroke in babies and toddlers can include:

• Extreme sleepiness or poor feeding

• Weakness on one side of the body

• Holding one hand in a fist or suddenly using their left hand for most things when they usually use their right

• Not using one hand or arm as much

• Seizures

Signs of a stroke in older children and teens

The signs of stroke in older children may be different than in babies and toddlers.

Signs of stroke in older children include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness in their face, arm or leg

• Trouble speaking or understanding words

• Vision problems

• Severe headache, possibly with vomiting (Strokes in older kids are sometimes mistaken for migraines, which can delay care.)

• Dizziness

• Trouble walking or loss of balance or coordination

1. F - Face: One side of the face gets frozen and they can’t smile – or their face gets droopy and one eye or side of the mouth sags.

2. A – Arm: They can’t raise both arms at the same time and keep them up.

3. S – Speech: Their speech is slurred and hard to understand.

4. T – Time: If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s TIME to call 911 for immediate help because stroke is always an emergency.

Kids at higher risk for having strokes

Some kids are at higher risk for stroke, including:

• Younger kids. Strokes are more common in kids under the age of 2.

• Boys. Boys have a higher risk of stroke than girls.

• Kids with sickle cell disease. About 10% of kids with sickle cell disease will have a stroke.

• African American kids. African American kids are at higher risk for stroke than other ethnic groups.

• Kids who have congenital heart disease. Kids born with heart problems have a much higher risk of blood clots which can lead to stroke.

If your child falls into one of these categories, it can be especially important to know the signs of a stroke in kids.

Learn more

The only program of its kind in Texas, the Center for Cerebrovascular Disorders offers the expertise of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team (including pediatric neurosurgeons, neurologists and interventional radiologists) who work together to care for children of all ages and every stage of stroke. We use the most advanced technology to identify the cause of a child’s stroke and help families develop a custom care plan for their child to both recover from stroke – and prevent future strokes. Learn more about our pediatric stroke program.