Kids aren't immune to strokes

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KVAL

Kids aren't immune to strokes
KVAL
Dr. Goins said a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Strokes occur most commonly from an injury to a child's blood vessels, ... 

Kids aren't immune to strokes

By Arrianee LeBeau KVAL News

Dr. Steven Goins said pediatric strokes are more common in newborns but still rare. Two mothers in Lane County formed a bond after they discovered both of their young children had strokes.  

Story Published: May 21, 2010 at 10:24 AM PDT

Four-year-old Gracie Weinhold suffered a stroke in October 2009.

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - Happy Weinhold and Maggie Arthur have created a bond after their children suffered from strokes.

The women said very little is known about pediatric strokes, but having support helps them get through it.
 
Weinhold's 4-year-old daughter Gracie suffered a stroke October 2009. She said Gracie had been a perfectly normal and active girl before her stroke.

"She had woken up and had right side weakness and wasn't able to talk and so we rushed her to McKenzie-Willamette," said Weinhold.

She's unable to use her right arm, walks with a leg brace and is learning to speak again. Gracie now attends physical therapy 3 times a week because of a malformation in her blood vessels which caused the stroke.

"Every three months we have to go up to Portland for her doctor visit and then every six months she has to have an MRI," said.
 
Weinhold said Gracie also takes aspirin every night to keep her blood thin.

Weinhold has found comfort in sharing her story with Maggie Arthur. Arthur's 5-year-old son Austin experienced a stroke at the age of 2.

"He was at his grandma's at the time and he was running around jumping on the bed getting ready for a nap," Arthur said, "and he threw up violently."

Dr. Steven Goins of the NW Specialty Clinic said pediatric strokes are as common in kids as they are in adults. But the occur more in newborns. 

"It used to be complication in meningitis. We don't see nearly as many brain infections in children as we used to. But we still have all these unusual conditions of blood disorders and heart conditions that predispose certain children to having strokes," said Dr. Goins.
 
Dr. Goins said a stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Strokes occur most commonly from an injury to a child's blood vessels, when clots form in the veins or there is a malformity in a blood vessel.

Most common indicators of a stroke are loss of speech and paralysis. However, these can also be signs of other conditions in children. 
Goins said if you suspect your child is having a stroke, take him or her to the hospital immediately.

"I've seen kids who have had strokes in newborn period that have been very ill and had lots of epileptic seizures," he said, "and have looked fantastic a year later."