Pediatric and Adolescent Stroke

When blood vessels in the brain break or become blocked, an individual may suffer a stroke. Strokes occurring in children and adolescents typically fall into one of three categories:

• Arterial Ischemic Stroke (AIS) in which an artery or arteries in the brain are blocked, often by a blood clot. This is the most common type of stroke in pediatric and adolescent patients.
• Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT) is a type of ischemic stroke in which blood clots prevent veins in the brain from draining blood into larger areas known as the venous sinuses.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke (HS) occurs when blood leaks into brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage), the fluid-filled spaces surrounding the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage), or the ventricles (intraventricular hemorrhage).

Contact Us Refer a Patient

The exact causes of stroke in children and adolescents are not well-defined. However, certain conditions and diseases can bring on strokes including:

• Sickle cell anemia
• Blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia
• Heart disease and congenital heart defects
• Head and/or neck trauma
• Moyamoya disease
• Metabolic disorders
• Drug abuse

Symptoms of stroke in children and adolescents may occur suddenly and often will increase in severity over time. The most common symptoms include:

• Weakness or numbness of face or arm or leg, on one side of the body
• Difficulty moving or walking
• Slurred speech and difficulty and/or inability to speak or understand others
• Headache, often with double vision and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Seizures, especially occurring on one side of the body.

The physicians at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital can diagnose a pediatric/adolescent stroke using a variety of methods and tests, including:

• Medical history
• Physical and neurological examination
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with radiocontrast

Children and adolescents presenting with stroke require immediate medical attention. Treatments vary depending on the cause of the stroke but may include:

• Anti-coagulant medication
• Anti-platelet medication
• Thrombolysis (catheterization to remove the clot)
• Surgery

If you have any questions, use the online tool below to help us connect with you. To refer a patient or schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic using the information below.

• Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic
  UT Professional Building
  6410 Fannin, Suite 950
  Houston, TX 77030
  P: (832) 325-7242
  F: (713) 512-2221
• Pediatric Neurology Clinic
  UT Professional Building
  6410 Fannin Street, Suite 500
  Houston, TX 77030
  P: (832) 325-6516
  F: 713-512-2232