CEREBRAL PALSY NEWS
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"The Impact of Strokes on Children"
August 28, 2007
Until recently, many health care professionals and parents believed that strokes were only common in adults.
Although it is true that strokes are the third most common killer of adults in the U.S., what many aren't aware of is that pediatric stokes are not as rare as doctors once believed.
Strokes Causing CP in Children
Recent studies have shown that strokes affect about 6 out of every 1,000 children in America, not including the cases that go undiagnosed.
As one of the major causes of cerebral palsy in children, strokes can have a particular life altering impact on kids because their brains are still in the developing stages.
Therefore, when part of the brain becomes damaged, the healthy section may suffer as a result.
Children who suffer from strokes and develop cerebral palsy may be able to have moderate motor skills while their speech and learning abilities are minimal.
What Happens During a Stroke?
When a stroke occurs, the blood vessels stop delivering blood to the brain due to something that has been torn or clogged.
The consequences of the stroke and whether it will cause a life debilitating illness like cerebral palsy depends upon what part of the brain the stroke affects.
For example, when a stroke occurs in the back of the brain, one's vision can often become impaired and strokes occurring on one side of the body often affect the functioning on the opposite side of the body.
Lack of Research
In past years there has been a noticeable lack of research regarding pediatric strokes.
“Pediatric neurologists don't feel comfortable with strokes. Adult neurologists don't feel comfortable with kids,” explains Heather Fullerton, who opened America's first cerebrovascular disease center, “a lot of these kids are falling in the cracks of the system.”
(Source: San Francisco Chronicle)
Do you have a child who has developed cerebral palsy as the result of a stroke? If so, please contact us today to speak with a trustworthy attorney who will evaluate your case and give you the guidance and support you need.
