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Signs & Symptoms of a Childhood Stroke

The signs and symptoms of a childhood stroke are different than those of an adult stroke. Many people believe that children don't have strokes, a fact that often results in children who do have strokes getting to the hospital three times slower than adults. Being familiar with the symptoms of childhood stroke can improve this rate and save a child's life.

  1. Severe Headache

    • Severe headache is usually the first complaint from a child who is having a stroke. Especially if your child doesn't frequently have headaches, or the headache is a sudden occurrence, check for other symptoms that might indicate a stroke, particularly fever and lethargy.

    Nausea

    • Nausea, vomiting and warm sweaty skin are all signs of a childhood stroke. Although these can be confused with typical flu symptoms, they shouldn't be overlooked as a possible sign of stroke, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.

    Slow Pulse

    • Another warning sign is if your child's pulse has slowed considerably. This will be an obvious slow beat, and distended neck veins often accompany this symptom.

    Speech Difficulties

    • Sudden inability to speak and slurred speech can indicate a stroke in a child. This will, of course, be more apparent in older children because their speech is more developed, but also be aware of this symptom in children who are just learning to speak.

    Vision Problems

    • Your child might experience partial or complete blindness or blurred vision. You might also notice unequally dilated or contracted pupils.

    Numbness or Paralysis

    • Numbness, weakness, poor coordination, imbalance or paralysis might occur during a childhood stroke, usually on one side of the body. This is easier to detect in children who are of walking age. However, with the paralysis you might notice a facial droop or inability to control saliva, which will be evident in even young children.

    Urinary Incontinence

    • Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is another indication of stroke. This symptom will be more evident in older children.

    Loss of Consciousness

    • Loss of consciousness, whether extended or brief, is a symptom of childhood stroke. You may mistake your child's unconscious condition as sleeping because often a child having a stroke may have "snoring" respiration.

    Signs in Newborns

    • Almost 50 percent of perinatal strokes are not detected due to the newborn's undeveloped senses and motor, language and cognitive skills. Some signs of stroke to look for in newborns are seizures, apnea (the infant temporarily stops breathing), poor feeding, weakness and other decreased physical function.

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