- seizures
- headaches, possibly with vomiting
- sudden paralysis or weakness on one side of the body
- language or speech delays or changes, such as slurring
- trouble swallowing
- vision problems, such as blurred or double vision
- tendency to not use one of their arms or hands
- tightness or restricted movement in the arms and legs
- trouble with schoolwork
- memory loss
- sudden mood or behavioral changes
Diagnosis and treatment
Strokes are often hard to diagnose in children because they may show no clear symptoms. In a lot of cases, children aren’t diagnosed until after they have suffered several seizures and developmental delays.
If you suspect your child may have suffered from a stroke, you should contact your child’s doctor immediately and him them run tests.
What you can do (management and treatment)
Brain damage from a stroke can cause a number of problems including:
- cerebral palsy
- cognitive and learning problems
- paralysis or weakness on one side
- communication problems
- vision problems
- psychological problems
If your child develops any of these problems, you should consult with a specialist that may help them.
The most common treatments for children who suffer from a stroke are medicine, procedures, surgery and rehabilitation. A physiatrist may also try different types of therapy to restore your child’s functional ability and quality of life.
The goal of the doctors is to treat whatever condition may have led to your child’s stroke and prevent a second stroke.
Although preventing pediatric strokes may be difficult because warnings may not appear until after the first stroke, most children recover. As a parent, your goal will be to support your child during their recovery. This involves helping them with their rehabilitation process as they re-learn how to use body functions such as speech and vision following a stroke.