Stroke in children: what are the signs & what to do

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a sudden, unexpected interruption in the brain’s blood supply.

Stroke in children and teenagers can cause long-term problems with movement and speech. It can also cause changes in behaviour, learning difficulties and epilepsy.

Stroke in babies and children is uncommon, but it can happen. If you see the signs of stroke in your child, act fast.

FAST signs and symptoms of stroke in children

The best way to remember the signs of stroke is to remember the acronym FAST:

F – face drooping
A – arm weakness
S – speech difficulty
T – time to call 000.

Other signs of stroke in children include:

sudden severe headache
sudden balance problems or difficulty walking
sudden difficulty seeing
weakness in one side of the body, which can seem like a difficulty with balance
brief loss of vision
sudden and unexpected seizures.

Strokes can happen very suddenly. If you can recognise the signs and symptoms and respond quickly, you can start treatment as soon as possible. When children get the right treatment fast, it can save their lives. It can also improve their chances of a good recovery.

If your child has any of the above symptoms, call 000 immediately. Tell the operator that you think your child is having a stroke.

What causes a stroke in children?

A stroke can be caused by a:

blockage in the veins or arteries into the brain
blood leak from those veins or arteries.

This can cause a drop in blood supply to the brain, which damages brain cells.

Tests for stroke

Doctors diagnose stroke with MRI or CT scans on the brain.

Other tests to find out the cause of the stroke might include an ultrasound of the heart or tests to check clotting of the blood.

Stroke recovery, support and treatment for children

Treatment depends on the type of stroke a child has had.

In children with strokes caused by a blockage in the arteries or veins, treatment might include dissolving or removing the blood clot if the stroke is diagnosed within 4.5-6 hours. Blood-thinning medicine can also be used.

In children with strokes caused by a leaking blood vessel, treatment might include brain surgery to stop the bleeding.

Children often need specialised rehabilitation to get better after a stroke, regardless of the type of stroke they’ve had.

If your child has had a stroke, you and your child might work with some of or all the following health professionals:

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) might support your child after a stroke, as well as you and your family. Our guide has answers to your questions about the NDIS.

Risk factors for stroke in babies and children

Children have different risk factors for stroke than adults.

Babies can be at risk of stroke if they have blood clotting problems or they or their mother has had an infection.

Children can be at risk of stroke if the blood vessels supplying their brain are inflamed or poorly formed.

Other risk factors include particular types of heart problems and other underlying medical conditions – for example, meningitis or encephalitis.