Stroke in children is not a fiction or an exception. Despite the widespread opinion that this disease affects only the elderly, dozens of cases of stroke in children are recorded every year in Ukraine. How to miss the symptoms and why early diagnosis saves life, said the child's neurosurgeon Vyacheslav Dabizh from Odrex medical house.
The doctor explains: most often stroke occurs in newborns - in the first 28 days of life. The so -called neonatal stroke is recorded with a frequency of up to 40 cases per 100,000 babies. In older children, stroke is less common - 2-13 cases per 100 thousand.
The reasons are not the ones in adults: these can be congenital heart defects, blood clotting problems, severe infections, injuries or anomalies of brain vessels.
Symptoms of stroke in children
In infants: convulsions, lethargy, asymmetrical body movements, problems with feeding.
In older children: numbness of face, arms or legs on the one hand, speech impairment, loss of coordination, severe headache.
In order not to lose precious time, the doctor reminds the Fast Rule:
-
Face - face skewed?
-
ARM - a child can lift both hands?
-
Speech - Problems with speech?
-
Time - do not delay, call an ambulance!
Is it possible to recover after a stroke?
Yes, children have much better chance of recovery than adults. This is due to the fact that the brain in childhood is more "flexible" - its areas can "adopt" the functions of the affected parts. But it all depends on the speed of assistance, the severity of the lesion and the intensity of rehabilitation.
How to prevent stroke in a child
Prevention depends on individual risks. If the child has heart disease, thrombosis, infections or genetic predisposition - it should be under the supervision of doctors. It is also important to vaccinate children, avoid injuries and take care of a healthy lifestyle, especially in adolescence.
"A child's stroke is always a shock for the family. But timely help and rehabilitation, they create miracles. Therefore, the main thing is not to lose time," Vyacheslav Dabya sums up.
