May is Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month! (xp to other boards)

Ash2015

Did you know that children, babies, and even unborn babies can have strokes? About 6 in every 100,000 babies and children suffer from pediatric stroke. Although it is rare, stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in children and a very serious event. 

Stroke in children and babies can cause hemiparesis (one-sided weakness), hemiplegia (one-sided paralysis), speech and cognitive delays, vision problems, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. Although these effects can be scary and debilitating, recognizing the signs of stroke early on and getting help immediately can drastically improve the outcome and prognosis. 

If you notice any of the following symptoms in your baby/child, please contact his/her doctor immediately or take him/her to the nearest emergency room:

-Seizures, especially in newborns

-Sudden headaches

-Difficulty or pauses in breathing

-Weakness or paralysis in one limb or on one side of the body

-Trouble walking/talking

-Developmental delays

-Early handedness

-Memory loss/changes in behavior

-Anything else that seems out of the ordinary for your child

For more information, you can visit https://www.chasa.org/ or https://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PEDSTROKE