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What Are the Causes of Brain Aneurysm in Children?

A brain aneurysm is the dilation of an artery in the brain that causes the arterial wall to bulge or rupture. Although rare, there are several types of aneurysm that are more prone to occur in children.

  1. Congenital

    • A congenital aneurysm is present from birth. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), certain genetic disorders and arterial weakness can contribute to arterial weakness.

    Moyamoya Disease

    • Moyamoya closely resembles a puff of smoke

      Moyamoya disease affects the arteries at the base of the brain. The tangle of blocked arteries resembles a "puff of smoke" and occurs mostly in children, according to NINDS.

    Genetic

    • Predisposition to aneurysm is higher when other blood-related family members have suffered with them. According to the Missy Project, screening tests are now available for newborns.

    Spontaneous Aneurysm

    • A spontaneous aneurysm is one that happens suddenly for no apparent reason. This is one of the more common types of aneurysm, and researchers think a combination of environmental and genetic factors play a significant role.

    Acquired Aneurysm

    • Head trauma from an accident or "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS) can directly contribute to brain aneurysms in children and infants. With SBS, the infant's brain impacts the skull hard enough to cause an artery to rupture.

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