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Prognosis for Young Stroke Victims

Stroke is often thought of as a condition that afflicts only older adults. Because of this, strokes in young adults and children can be misdiagnosed. Young stroke survivors will face different challenges and treatment options than older survivors will face. Understanding the prognosis for this age group will help you make decisions about ongoing care.

  1. Stroke

    • A stroke deprives brain cells of needed oxygen and nutrients. One type of stroke occurs when a clot prevents blood flow through an artery essential to the brain. With a hemorrhagic stroke, a brain artery bursts and blood spills into the brain. Pressure from the blood in the brain cavity causes further damage.

    Misdiagnosis

    • A 2009 study by the American Stroke Association found that several young adults were misdiagnosed when admitted to an emergency room with stroke symptoms. The American Stroke Association indicates that young adults may have a better response to standard stroke treatments and that intervention within the first three hours of stroke symptoms can lessen the likelihood of permanent disability and improve the recovery prognosis.

    Children

    • Strokes among children happen at a rate of six out of 100,000, according to the Children's Hemiplegia & Stroke Association. More than half of these chidlren will suffer long-term disabilities such as difficulty with speech and vision. They are more likely to have seizures and develop behavioral issues. The prognosis for future stroke risks increases among children diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, cardiac and coagulation disorders and vascular disorders such as arterial dissention.

    Infants

    • Stroke also can affect children in the early days of life. According to the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, the rate of blockage-related strokes among children less than a year old is 1 in 4,000. More than half are likely to suffer long-term neurological problems and disabilities such as hemiplegia, vision and speech problems, seizures and learning difficulties. The risk of stroke for infants rises if they have cardiac and metabolic disorders, infections such as chicken pox, and vascular and hematological conditions.

    Perinatal Strokes

    • Perinatal refers to the period starting from week 28 of gestation through the first month after delivery. Strokes can occur during this time if blood supply to the fetus's brain is interrupted. The prognosis among children who suffer a perinatal stroke includes an increased risk for developing cerebral palsy, as well as a 20 percent chance of suffering a future stroke.

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