Stroke is not only a problem for adults but can also occur in children. Doctors say that parents’ vigilance is very important in detecting and preventing strokes in children.

Sohu newspaper reported the case of a 6-year-old boy living in Hubei, China who suffered a stroke.

One morning, the boy woke up with a severe headache. At first, his family thought it was just a common cold and did not pay much attention. However, just 2 days later, the situation became serious when the boy vomited, had a crooked mouth, crossed eyes, and half of his body was limp. These symptoms frightened his parents and they quickly took him to the local hospital.

The diagnosis was surprising: the boy had an ischemic stroke. For further treatment, the boy was transferred to Wuhan Children’s Hospital. Here, doctors discovered that the blood vessels in his head were completely blocked and needed immediate surgery. Although he was fortunate to be saved, the boy’s future now depends on a complex medical treatment and long-term physical recovery.

This boy’s story is heartbreaking, causing many people to ask: Why can stroke, a disease that usually only occurs in middle-aged and elderly people, occur in children?

Dr. Guo Qing (Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) recently issued recommendations on issues related to stroke in young children.

4 unexpected causes of stroke in children

1. Head injury

Children’s intracranial arteries are very sensitive. If a child suffers a head injury due to a collision, a blood clot can form, causing a blockage of the cerebral artery and leading to a stroke. In Xiao Song’s case, he fell while playing and was not immediately noticed by his parents.

2. Infection due to inflammation

Infection can cause inflammation of blood vessels, leading to blockage. Inflammation not only narrows blood vessels but also creates chemical factors that are harmful to blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of stroke.

3. Obesity

Obese children are at high risk of diseases such as high blood pressure, high blood fat and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for stroke.

4. Excessive mental stress

Children who experience stress due to prolonged study or gaming can also lead to stroke. Prolonged stress can affect the overall health of children.

Doctors warn of 4 stroke symptoms in children that parents should not ignore

Doctors say that parents’ vigilance is very important in detecting and preventing strokes in children. Therefore, parents should take their children to the hospital immediately if they see one of the 4 signs below.

1. Asymmetrical face

A stroke can cause paralysis on one side of the face, a crooked mouth, creating asymmetry.

2. Impaired movement on one side of the body

If the child cannot raise an arm or leg on one side of the body, or feels numb, they need to see a doctor immediately.

3. Difficulty speaking or slurred speech

The child may suddenly speak unclearly, the tongue may enlarge, due to lack of blood supply to the brain.

4. Blurred vision, vomiting, fainting

Children may experience blurred vision, vomiting or loss of consciousness, these are serious symptoms that need immediate treatment.

How to prevent stroke in children

1. Limit children’s participation in dangerous activities that can cause head injuries. If your child has a head or neck injury, take them to the hospital for examination.

2. Reduce stress and fatigue: According to research from the University of Cambridge, the level of fatigue may be related to the incidence of stroke. Parents should create conditions for children to have reasonable rest time and limit the time spent using electronic devices.

3. Control diet and increase exercise: Encourage children to eat more vegetables, fruits and less fast food to avoid being overweight. Along with that, let children participate in outdoor sports activities to improve health and increase blood circulation.