Toddler suffers a stroke!

[molly2004]

Hi, everyone. I heard some horrible news from a mom in my twins club. She said that a few nights ago, her 2 1/2 year old son suffered a stroke in the middle of the night and was partially paralyzed. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Can anyone point me to any resources or support groups I can direct her to?

This is really frightening. I never knew it could happen in kids so young. I have two 2-year-olds myself, so this really hits close to home.

If you can help direct me to a resource, please PM me.

Thanks.

 

[babiesX2]

Yes, I have heard of this. My twins were preemie and one had a much more difficult time than the other so as a result, we go to speech, physical, and occupational therapy 3 mornings a week. We know several children at therapy who go there because they had strokes. All the ones we know had a stroke because of very high fevers. One little girl had cat scratch fever (this really is an illness).

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Another MOT here.

Some children (and adults for that matter) have medical issues that cause blood clotting problems, called coagulopathies, which can lead to stroke. The same could be said for bleeding issues or an anerurism in the brain. It would be fairly unusual, though. They will be directed to support organizations in the hospital, hopefully. Given time, some of the paralysis may turn around - let's hope.

Try not to worry about it with your own children. The fact is that none of us know what tomorrow brings, but we shouldn't spend precious moments worrying about that which we have no control over. Hard, I know, but necessary to keep our sanity.

 

[scraptoons]

My cousin's DS had that happen to him the day after his first Christmas.

He was about 8 months old.

It was gut wrenching and heartbreaking.

We prayed believing prayers..

Now he is fine. A little physical therapy, but he is doing great!

 

[Twingle]

Another MOT (mine are 2 1/2 also) here, and yes, I have heard of this happening, at any age and at any time. While I don't know of any resources to direct her to, her doctor should be able to help her with that - also, depending on where they are and how bad the stroke was, the Ronald McDonald House is WONDERFUL and they usually have a ton of information about different aliments.

Tons of Pixie Dust, Prayers, and Good Thoughts going their way.

 

[dis-happy]

Yesterday's USA Today had a big article called "Strokes in children: A medical dilemma". It was the front page of the Life section. You can probably find it on-line. I was surprised to read that strokes in children are quite common, but the treatment plans aren't cut and dried. Reading the information might help your friend. It must be so difficult to watch her child go through this.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Great article, dis-happy. OP, at the end of the article, there is a resource cited which could be helpful to your friend. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-03-strokes-kids_x.htm

 

[sharongl]

www.twinstuff.com has a health issues forum. One of the mods there has a son who had a stroke in utero. It is a great place for info.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I've heard of a young child who had a stroke after getting kicked in the head playing goalie in a soccer game. I won't let my children ever play goalie. I've seen too many aggressive forwards who don't know how to stop themselves when charging for the ball.

 

[mumto2]

DD (7) is a stroke survivor. She is doing very well now, thanks to regular therapy (physical and occupational). She is in the 2nd grade and enjoys drama camp, choir and reading. She is not a big fan of math (but neither was I ), and won't eat squash - basically your average kid! She does wear a leg brace, we use a pushchair when she gets tired, and her fine motor skills are very limited in her right hand. But, she has figured out ways of doing things one-handed that I need two hands for, she is a whiz on the computer (puts together powerpoint presentations for home projects), and enjoys picking out the most vibrant (think neon tye-dye) patterns for her leg brace. Her friends accept her for who she is with minimal questions, and some of them even advocate for/with her when they are out and about - it is really neat to watch.

Yes strokes in little ones happen more often than people think and often for no explainable reason, but please don't be too stressed about it happening to your own kids (it is still pretty rare, and childhood is too short not to enjoy your kids just being kids).

I found a tremendous amount of support from the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, chasa org. They have an online support group and an annual retreat. They can also try to link your friend up with another parent nearby who can offer support.

for your friend. She's going through a tough time right now, but it will get better.

 

[Soccerpooh]

DS (11) is stroke survivor. He contracted Viral Encephalytis when he was 4 months old, which caused his brain to swell, which in turn caused the stroke. He does have moderate drain damage as a result, and is considered Mildy Mentally Handicapped. But he is doing so good now- he is a good soccer player, hockey player, a Boy Scout, and is doing well in school, just behind for his age. The one "good" thing about strokes in young children is that because they are so young, if there is permanent brain damage, the brain use another undamaged area to learn skills. The Dr.'s told us you really only use 4% of your brain, therefore there is lots of areas in the brain that can pick up and learn or relearn the skills. Children are so much more resiliant than adults, and I really think that is why you hear about so many "miracles" with children. I know I thank God everyday for mine!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

While there are really not a lot of things that you can do to prevent strokes in children per say, many strokes in children, follow a tramatic injury. What you can do is to take precautions to prevent injuries to your children. Always restrain them in the car (new reseach is recommending facing backwards for much longer than the first year now), always insist on helments for bikes, keep them off ATVs, Always supervise them around water,and use correct equipment and adult supervision in sports.

Getting great prenatial care is also critical as strokes among premature babies is aways a risk.

Looking at what we can control with our children makes us feel better than just worring.

Jordans' mom

 

[barkley]

2 time stroke survivor here (both at age 42 with no warning). i also was friends with a young man who had one out of the blue at age 16.

depending on the severity of the stroke, recovery when you're "youger" (which i was still considered to be) is much more successful. physical therapy, speech therapy...all work wonders if started soon after the event. some issues may not go away (in my case hearing and vision loss on one side), others can reoccur somewhat due to stress, exhaustion or general illness (my speech is fine except when i'm realy tired or stressed-then the words slurr or jumble up, i get facial drooping only when i'm realy tired or have a severe migrane-same with a slight limp).

shriner's children's hospitals are great resources for support groups, education and information-and since they are all over the country they can direct someone to a state or local organization in their area.

i don't think unless a person (adult or child) has a definate pre-dispostion to strokes (some premies, heart disease, neurological issues) it's something one should needlessly worry about suffering. in hindsight we realized that while they were largly elderly, i had a farily large number of family members who had suffered strokes which could a indicated a genetic predisposition. it's not like there was much i could have done to prevent them, but now that we know (and esp. after i suffered mine at what is considered an early age) my children's pediatrician has been advised, and i will educate the kids to advise their treating doctors for the rest of their lives.

best wishes to your friends little one.

 

[Soccerpooh]

Looking at what we can control with our children makes us feel better than just worring.

Jordans' mom

OMG! I want to frame this quote! This is so very true. After my son was so close to dying, I beganto worry about EVERYTHING, particullarly my children's health. It got to the point where I had to take medication for anxiety. But as they got older I realized that somethings are completely out of my control, but there are a lot of things I can do protect them or prevent bad things. People think I am crazy when I say DS will never play football or get on an ATV, but gosh, he has survived 1 tramatic brain "injury", and if I can keep him from another, I will! Thanks, Mom to Jordan, for helping me keep things in perspective!

 

[CleveRocks]

I am a cognitive therapist who works with children and adults who acquired brain injuries through any number of causes, including stroke. Another web resource for you may be the site of the Brain Injury Association of America, www.biausa.org. That site may also have a link to a more local organization in your state. Good luck!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Soccermom,

You are so welcome. We have "been there, done that". DS was very premature and had a bad brain bleed. Somehow with God's grace he beat all the odds and is a normal healthy kid. One, who by the way wants a ATV so bad but is not getting one!! We are now debaiting the paint ball thing as we have faught the battle of eye sight and those things scare me too. I am not paraniod and he is not TOO over protected but when you know things do happen, it makes you think twice.

BTW- I read too fast at first and thought you said you were flaming me. After I made the comment on premature infants and good prenatal care I second guessed whether to say it or not as there are many moms of premature babies on the board that like me did everything right and still had premature infants. Problem is the NICU is full of babies that mom's do not do everything right and those often have the worst outcome.

Blessings on your little miracle.

 

[babiesX2]

Soccermom,

You are so welcome. We have "been there, done that". DS was very premature and had a bad brain bleed. Somehow with God's grace he beat all the odds and is a normal healthy kid. One, who by the way wants a ATV so bad but is not getting one!! We are now debaiting the paint ball thing as we have faught the battle of eye sight and those things scare me too. I am not paraniod and he is not TOO over protected but when you know things do happen, it makes you think twice.

BTW- I read too fast at first and thought you said you were flaming me. After I made the comment on premature infants and good prenatal care I second guessed whether to say it or not as there are many moms of premature babies on the board that like me did everything right and still had premature infants. Problem is the NICU is full of babies that mom's do not do everything right and those often have the worst outcome.

Blessings on your little miracle.

Yep, another mom here "who did everything right." First prenatal visit was at 7 weeks! First ultrasound was at 11 weeks, and the doc saw ONE baby. At 19 1/2 weeks we had our second ultrasound for weight and measurements and possibly sex. That was when the "other" baby showed up. Our picture perfect pregnancy wasn't picture perfect anymore. By 24 weeks I was sent to a specialty hospital 4 1/2 hours away for inpatient bedrest and every other day level 3 ultrasounds. Our identical twin girls were born at 30 weeks. Thank God, they had only very minor brain bleeds. Lydia requires therapy in all areas 3 morning/week, but her prognosis is a "normal" outcome. Just look at 'em now! (Lydia is the one doing the pushing!)

 

[PaulaSue]

My friend's DS had one in the womb. It turned out that he has Factor 5 Leiven(?) He is 6 now with some problems. He has been in EI and LIU services since soon after birth.

Best wishes for your friends DC.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Babies X2-- Oh they are precious!! Glad they are doing well!

 

[nicoleakr]

That is so heartbreaking . I will keep this child in my prayers.