Children have different risk factors for stroke than adults. Recovery from pediatric stroke can take time, with many children having long-term health effects.

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is cut off due to a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. We often think of stroke as something that happens to older adults.

However, strokes can occur at any age. A pediatric stroke refers to a stroke that happens in someone under age 18 years.

There are two types of pediatric stroke:

  • Perinatal stroke happens in children who are a month old or younger.
  • Childhood stroke happens in children between ages 1 month and 18 years.

While pediatric stroke isn’t common, perinatal stroke occurs more frequently than childhood stroke. Experts estimate that perinatal stroke affects 1 in every 2,300 live births while childhood stroke affects 2 to 13 out of every 100,000 children.

The article below dives deeper into the topic of pediatric stroke. It covers symptoms to be aware of, what causes pediatric strokes, and what treatment and recovery is like.

According to the American Stroke Association, strokes are often missed in children because many people are not aware that they can affect this age group. This makes your ability to identify the signs of a pediatric stroke vital.

Stroke symptoms often come out of nowhere. If you notice that one or more of the following symptoms suddenly occur in your child, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room:

A stroke is a medical emergency, and the outlook is better when treatment is received quickly. Never hesitate to seek emergency care if you think your child is having a stroke.

In general, there are two types of stroke, each with different causes. These are called ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes.

An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow in the brain is blocked, such as by a blood clot. In children, an ischemic stroke could happen due to factors that increase the risk of blood clots.

Just a few examples of health situations that may boost the likelihood of blood clots in kids include:

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, leading to a brain bleed. Certain factors can increase the risk of a brain bleed in children.

For example, malformed blood vessels in the brain called arteriovenous malformations can lead to a brain bleed. These blood vessels tend to be weaker and more prone to breaking open.

Another example is a condition like hemophilia in which blood does not clot effectively. Clotting issues increase the risk of a bleeding event, particularly after an injury.

Most people are probably familiar with the major risk factors for stroke in adults. These include chronic conditions like:

However, this isn’t the case in children. That’s because children haven’t had time to develop these chronic conditions. Their risk factors are quite different.

The risk factors for pediatric stroke include:

A stroke is a medical emergency at any age. The type of treatment that’s used can depend on whether a child’s stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic.

For an ischemic stroke, blood thinners can prevent additional clots from forming, while thrombolytic “clot-busting” medications can break up clots. These drugs can help restore blood flow in the brain.

Doctors may also perform a medical procedure called a thrombectomy to remove the clot.

In a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be needed to repair the burst blood vessel. If the brain bleed has led to significant pressure buildup, doctors may order a craniectomy may be done. During the procedure, part of the skull bone is removed to help reduce pressure around the brain.

Treating pediatric stroke also focuses on supportive care. This includes managing health-related factors such as blood pressure, body temperature, and blood sugar levels in addition to preventing seizures.

Can children die from a pediatric stroke?

Yes. It’s possible for children to die from a pediatric stroke. Research discussed in a 2021 overview of updates suggests that the mortality (death) rate for pediatric stroke is 10% to 25%.

Hemorrhagic strokes tend to have a higher mortality rate than ischemic strokes. One 2018 study of pediatric strokes conducted in Taiwan reported mortality rates of 27.6% and 10.2% for hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, respectively.

Pediatric stroke can lead to a variety of long-term health problems that can affect a child. Some research cited in a 2022 review article indicates 60% to 70% of children will have some form of long-term disability following a pediatric stroke.

A few examples of health-related events that can develop include:

Pediatric stroke is also associated with:

Recovery is best when a stroke is diagnosed and treated early. It’s also important to note that while recovery starts in the days and weeks after a pediatric stroke, it can continue for years.

Pediatric stroke rehabilitation

Many people who’ve had a stroke receive some sort of rehabilitative care. This is especially important for children whose brains are still growing and developing.

Generally speaking, stroke rehabilitation in children can involve:

Overall, a 2020 study involving 587 children who experienced a pediatric stroke found that recovery was “generally favorable.” It reported decreases in moderate to severe neurological problems two years after discharge, such that:

  • 9.4% of newborns had moderate to severe neurological problems at discharge versus 8% after 2 years had passed
  • 48.8% of children had moderate to severe neurological problems at discharge versus 24.7% after 2 years had passed

Researchers identified some risk factors that may indicate less favorable pediatric stroke outcomes, including having:

  • a stroke between ages 28 days and 1 year
  • a chronic underlying condition or disorder
  • a stroke that affected both large and small blood vessels

Pediatric stroke is when a stroke happens in a person under 18 years old. While pediatric stroke is uncommon overall, it happens more frequently in newborns than in older children.

The risk factors for pediatric stroke are different than those of adult stroke. They include things like malformed blood vessels in the brain, congenital heart problems, and blood and blood clotting disorders.

Recovery from pediatric stroke can take time. Many children may experience some type of lasting health problem or disability.

A child’s outlook is best when a stroke is treated early, so getting emergency medical care immediately is important if you think your child is having a stroke.