We All Have Special Needs: Pediatric Stroke Awareness

Strokes can occur before birth, in infants, children and young adults
Risk of stroke is highest in the first year of life and peaks during the perinatal period (a few weeks before and after birth)
Occurrence - 1 in every 2800 live births (this is likely underestimated
Sixty percent of infants with a stroke diagnosis have specific symptoms such as seizures in the first three days of life
Forty percent of infants will have no symptoms and the stroke is recognized later with delays in movement, development or seizures. (This was Lincoln, diagnosed later even though he spent time in the NICU with complications. We just did not know the extent of them despite multiple tests being performed.)

Cause

In most cases, like ours, the cause is unknown

My Baby Isn't Using One Hand

Hand preference should not be determined or noticeable before the age of one year and often much later than that. So a child who favors one hand, leaves the other hand in a fist, or doesn't bring both hands together during play needs to be referred for further testing.
Delays in early milestones -- rolling, sitting, pulling to stand, crawling and walking -- are additional reasons for evaluation.
This is a common reason or first sign that families notice. (With Lincoln hand preference before at just months old is what prompted us to go back to Mayo Clinic.)

Ways of Diagnosing

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound
Electroencephalogram (EEG) if seizures are suspected
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) performed if a heart problem is present or suspected, often associated with strokes
Blood samples to check for blood clotting disorders.
Other tests may be performed outside this list depending on the patients needs

Therapy

Children often receive multiple therapies for long periods of time -- some even decades or as long as needed. Therapies may include (but are not limited to) occupation, physical and speech therapy to help them learn skills for daily living and to increase movement.

Pediatric Stroke Awareness

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

~ Margaret Mead ~

Pediatric Stroke Awareness

​"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. ​Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

~ Margaret Mead ~

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”