From Malay Mail · · 1m 20s
Stroke isn’t just an adult emergency: What parents should watch for in children
Childhood stroke symptoms often mimic common illnesses, but prompt action saves long-term development.
In brief
Childhood stroke symptoms often mimic common illnesses, but prompt action saves long-term development. Parents should seek immediate medical help for sudden neurological changes in children to prevent lasting developmental issues. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
Childhood stroke risks
Stroke can occur in newborns and teenagers, causing severe long-term effects if delayed.
“Stroke can happen at any age, including newborns and teenagers, and delays in recognising the symptoms can lead to lasting neurological and developmental complications.”
Symptoms in children
Children may show subtle signs like seizures or difficulty feeding, while older kids exhibit facial drooping or speech issues.
“In older children and teenagers, stroke can look much like it does in adults with facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking, while babies and toddlers may show more subtle signs such as seizures or difficulty feeding.”
Rarity and awareness
Childhood stroke affects 2.5 to 13 cases per 100,000 children annually, but parents often delay seeking help.
“The Paediatric Protocols for Malaysian Hospitals, developed by the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Paediatric Association, estimate that childhood stroke affects between 2.5 and 13 cases per 100,000 children annually.”
Critical response steps
Parents must note last known well time and call an ambulance immediately for suspected stroke.
“Dr Tan advised parents to note when their child was last known to be well and call an ambulance immediately if stroke was suspected.”
Emergency treatment
Immediate care includes stabilising the child, controlling seizures, and managing complications.
“Initial treatment focuses on stabilising the child, controlling seizures and managing complications, with clot-preventing medications used depending on the cause.”
Underlying causes
Childhood stroke may stem from blood vessel abnormalities, heart disease, infections, or genetic conditions.
“Dr Tan said childhood stroke could be associated with heart disease, abnormalities of the brain’s blood vessels, blood disorders, infections or inflammation, trauma and certain genetic or metabolic conditions.”
Long-term effects
Children may face attention, memory, learning, and emotional challenges even after physical recovery.
“A child may have a relatively good physical recovery but continue to experience difficulties with attention, processing speed, memory, learning, communication, emotional regulation, social participation or confidence.”
Follow-up care
Long-term monitoring is essential to address developmental issues as children enter school.
“Dr Tan said long-term follow-up is important because some developmental and learning difficulties may only become apparent when children enter school and face greater academic and social demands.”
Sunway Medical Centre event
Sunway Medical Centre Velocity hosts a public event on brain health from Oct 30 to Nov 1.
“Meanwhile, SMCV will hold its neuroscience public event, “Brain for Life: The Ultimate Mind & Motion Experience”, from Oct 30 to Nov 1 at the Main Atrium, Ground Floor, Sunway Velocity Mall.”
Event highlights
The event includes stroke symptom workshops, memory loss discussions, and free health screenings.
“Highlights include SunMed Kids’ Club FAST Heroes Campaign by the Angels Initiative (A workshop for children to learn and identify stroke symptoms), interactive game stations, a panel discussion on memory loss and early Alzheimer’s disease, complimentary consultations with SMCV’s neuroscience consultants, complimentary health assessments, and promotions on selected health screening packages.”
Here's the gist
Parents should seek immediate medical help for sudden neurological changes in children to prevent lasting developmental issues.
