Pediatric and Adolescent Stroke

Strokes can happen to anyone at any age. When a stroke strikes a baby or adolescent, they need specialized immediate and long-term care from a team who can help diagnose, treat and support children.

If you think your child may be having a stroke, do not wait to seek medical attention. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 as quickly as possible!

What Is a Stroke?

When blood vessels in the brain break or become blocked, an individual may suffer a stroke. A pediatric or adolescent stroke is a rare but serious condition in children and adolescents that can cause permanent brain damage. 

Strokes occurring in babies, children and adolescents typically fall into one of three categories:

• Arterial Ischemic Stroke (AIS) is when 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).

Learn more about the different types of strokes »

Contact Us Refer a Patient

Symptoms of stroke in babies, 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 exact causes of stroke in children and adolescents are not well-defined, and stroke in children can happen for a number of reasons. However, certain conditions and diseases can bring on strokes including:

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

The teams affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital can diagnose a pediatric and adolescent stroke using a variety of methods and tests, including:

• Gathering medical history
• Physical and neurological examinations
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with radiocontrast
• Conventional angiography

Every patient is different. Working closely with a pediatric stroke team is always the best way to determine your child’s treatment plan. Children and adolescents presenting with stroke require immediate medical attention, and the treatments options vary depending on the cause of the stroke, but may include:

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

Research and Clinical Trials

• American Stroke Association
• International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke
• AVM Alliance
• International Pediatric Stroke Study

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 Stroke Clinic
  UT Professional Building
  6410 Fannin, Suite 500
  Houston, TX 77030
  P: (713) 500-7164
• Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic
  6410 Fannin Street, Suite 950
  Houston, TX 77030
  P: (832) 325-7234
• UTHealth Houston Gulf State Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Center
  6655 Travis Street, Suite 100
  Houston, TX 77030
  P: (832) 325-7242