Introduction Pediatric strokes are caused by blocked blood vessels or bleeding in the brain. They are more common than many realize, particularly around birth. Often, parents may not know their child has experienced a stroke until milestones like crawling or talking...
Background This article builds on a previously published caregiver guide listed first in the Resources section, which introduces common therapy models for children with difficulties using one hand. Here, we extend that discussion to focus on how the quality of...
What is rehabilitation? After a stroke, the brain works on healing itself by making new connections between neurons around the injury. These new pathways within the brain help the child continue to learn and grow. This process is called neuroplasticity, which means...
Family-centered care is a way of providing healthcare where the family is an important part of the patient’s recovery. Family is not just a helper. For pediatric stroke (a stroke that happens to a child), this approach is especially important. Children who have had a...
Hemorrhagic Strokes in Neonates A sudden bleed in the brain is called a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke is more common in babies born prematurely (before 32 weeks), but it can also happen in full-term babies. Doctors call it a perinatal stroke if it happens...
Pediatric stroke is a life-altering diagnosis that demands a highly individualized and multidisciplinary approach to care. As therapists and medical professionals, we are acutely aware that access to therapy is just one part of the puzzle. Although most children with...
It was our first ski trip as a family of five when our lives were turned upside down. On the first morning of our vacation, I immediately noticed slight changes in my two-year-old daughter, Adalee. Her smile looked different, and part of her face was not moving the...
Introduction – Why I Chose This Topic Hi! My name is Christina Rothfuss, and I am studying occupational therapy (OT) at Southern California University of Health Sciences. In school, I learned that it is important to be ready to help people with many different health...
Introduction Pediatric stroke causes motor impairments in up to 80% of children with stroke. A motor impairment means that part of the body doesn’t work, partially or at all. This is often caused by brain injury, such as strokes. Why would an injury to the brain cause...
Keywords ARTERIAL ISCHEMIC STROKE CEREBRAL PALSY EPILEPSY PERINATAL STROKE Hi, my name is Francesca, and I’m the proud mom of Mario. Mario was born 14 years ago. I had a hard pregnancy and had to stay in bed for eight months. Mario was born premature at 36...
I never considered myself an advocate until I became a parent. It started when my oldest child almost died from a severe reaction to peanuts almost 30 years ago. I got involved with my local allergy group and shared our story. It was rewarding to have a community that...
What is Perinatal Stroke and how common is it? Perinatal stroke happens in babies between the middle of pregnancy (around 28 weeks) and the first 28 days after birth. Although perinatal strokes can be hard to detect, doctors are getting better at identifying them...
Health inequities remain a serious issue in healthcare, especially for newborns at risk for brain conditions, where early help can make a big difference in their lives. Social determinants of health are social and economic conditions that affect many health...
This systemic review looks at current evidence on how well motor-based therapies work for infants aged 0-2 years who are diagnosed with or at high risk for cerebral palsy. It highlights strengths and weaknesses in the research to help improve clinical care and guide...
Historically, cerebral palsy was often diagnosed when a child was at least two years old, leading to delays in treatment. However, physicians are now able to diagnose cerebral palsy in children as young as 6 months old by reviewing their medical history along with...
Objective This study looked at the most effective early motor therapy options for infants (0-3 years old) who have been diagnosed with, or are at risk for, cerebral palsy. The primary aim was to identify which therapies yield the best outcomes, especially when...
Objective: The study wanted to understand how moms and dads feel and what they go through when their baby has something called perinatal stroke. The researchers also wanted to learn how this affects the family and figure out ways doctors and nurses can help them...
Homeostasis in Neonatal Stroke , The Challenges of Balance Bodily Systems in Neonatal Stroke". Homeostasis is the way our bodies regulate factors such as temperature, sugar levels, and blood pressure to maintain a stable internal environment. Think of a thermostat...
Introduction A neonatal stroke is a stroke that occurs in a baby before or around the time of birth. Some babies show symptoms right away, such as seizures, and get brain imaging that quickly leads to a diagnosis. Other babies, however, may not show symptoms until...
Many years after my ischemic stroke at the age of 10 left me frozen with fear on my middle school blacktop (school playground), I am proud to say that I have continued following the dream that I set out for myself. My desire to pursue medicine, which is the excellence...
Stroke, generally known as an injury to part of the brain, is considered to be an significant cause of death and long-term health problems in children. This study looked at how often kids in Taiwan have strokes and what puts them at risk. Please note, the data only...
Summary: This study investigates the differences between two types of stroke in children: arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS). It focuses on their causes, risk factors, symptoms, and outcomes. Even though strokes are rare in children, they can...
Author: Sahar M.A. Hassanein, MD Story: One day, Samy started feeling very tired and weak. His parents took him to the hospital, where the doctors found out that he had a stroke. A stroke is a serious problem that happens when blood doesn’t get to the right...
Author: Rabia Qaiser, MD Introduction: In the US, pediatric strokes happen in about 2.5 to 13 out of every 100,000 kids each year. Strokes in children can lead to serious problems that might need surgery, like severe brain swelling and hydrocephalus (fluid...
Authors: Esha Parakh and Claire Champigny Objective: To review post-stroke outcomes, including neurocognitive impairments, mental health challenges, sensory-motor difficulties, and epilepsy. Sequelae means the long-term conditions that happen because of an...
This article was inspired by an eight-year-old who shares her story of her journey with co-morbidities secondary to stroke. Adela says, “I am okay that I had a stroke, but I don’t want to have seizures anymore.” “Comorbidities” are medical conditions that you have in...