Children suffering a stroke

Hi Lisa,

I have referred your question to our stroke health care professional team on StrokeLine 1800 787 653, they will answer here. 

We know that every year about two children in every 100,000 will have a stroke. Strokes can occur in all age groups – from newborns to older teenagers. Sometimes strokes occur in babies before they are born with an estimate of one newborn in every 2,300 – 5,000 having a stroke. 

Unfortunately the causes of childhood stroke are poorly understood with little published research. 

Here is some information about kids and strokes: https://www.strokefoundation.com.au/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/childhood-stroke

Also do you know about CHASA? http://chasa.org/ ;

How is your daughter going? What age is your daughter now? 

Cheers,

Diana

Hi Lisa,

I was in my 50's when I had a stroke but nonetheless was fit and healthy and no reason has even been found. They searched for a brain tumour as that was possibly the only thing which could explain it but it was not that.

A fellow I'd met in hospital was there with a stroke, he'd had some before, however he was found to have a previously undetected issue with his heart that they said would have been a major cause for all his strokes. It wasn't until he'd had the last one that they conducted testing they hadn't done before, and found the problem.

All the best with your daughter. How old is she now? If it were me, I'd be looking into why the clots were there in the first place - if you can find out such information - and look at prevention, regenerative health as best you and she can.

Hi Lisa,

Thank you for sharing your daughter's story. As Diana said, childhood stroke is very rare and there is limited published research in the area. Although the causes are not well understood, they are thought to include blood vessel problems in the brain and clots travelling from the heart.

Given the rarity of the childhood stroke, it is likely that the medical team wanted to consider all possible causes of your daughters symptoms before making the correct diagnosis - this may be why the misdiagnosis of a brain tumour was made.

If you would like to speak further, please do not hesitate to contact StrokeLine on 1800 787 653

Best wishes,

Alana (Speech Pathologist for StrokeLine)

Hi all, 

I am 26 and had a stroke at age 3 from a blood clot travelling to my brain. Was paralysed for 3 days. Had to re learn how the walk etc all also. They did all sorts of tests and no answers. I have epilepsy now and leg spasticity from it. 

How is your daughter going now Lisa? Hope you are both Ok. All the best. Rose 

Thankyou so much sharing and for your replies.My daughter is almost 16 and is overall healthy with no furthers strokes.She has had a couple of seizures when she was ill but all good otherwise. It's only in the last 12 months through having  anaphylaxis she has been diagnosed with alpha gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat. This apparently is caused by a tick bite . Whether the tick had something to do with the stroke as well could be totally unrelated . Hopefully through diet can keep her healthy and happy with no further implications.

Hi

I have just joined this site as I have only just discovered it.  My 5 year old had a stroke neally 12 months ago now and he has been good since.  However I still don't feel things are right as he has some abnormal behaviour at times.  I got no answer and by the looks won't however I am pushing for more testing to be done re: Heart Checks as I had a little sister who pasted away of a heart condition however hospital wasn't concerned as I don't have the gene so he shouldn't have it.  We only had a ecg done when in hospital and I said this is not good enough and asked them if they could tell me 100% that he wouldn't have the condition and they said no so I said good do further testing.  I am now going to request more tests be done under Ryan's Ruling.  We were told when in hospital that they have 1 child a month come in having a stroke.  If I hadn't gone with my gut we wouldn't know today that he had a stroke.

Glad to hear you have had no further implications.

Hi my daughter suffered a stroke at age 14. It is now approaching 12 months since she suffered a strike and she is still undergoing intensive rehabilitation to address a range of deficits.

She was healthy and active and after numerous test we still don’t have an answer why a clot formed and travelled to her brain.

As a parent and carer I note that access to support groups (in person or via socials) for children and teenagers is limited. 

If groups do exist I would be very interested to obtain details as my daughter would greatly benefit from talking to other children who have experienced a stroke