Too Young For A Stroke? Why It Can Happen To Children Too

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Stroke can happen at any age, including newborns and teenagers, and delays in recognising the symptoms can lead to lasting neurological and developmental complications.

Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Neurologist at Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) Dr Tan Jen Ern said childhood stroke, although uncommon, could easily be overlooked because its symptoms often resemble other childhood illnesses.

“Paediatric stroke is rare, but rarity does not mean it cannot happen. The important message is to recognise sudden neurological changes and seek emergency assessment promptly,” he said in a statement today.

The Paediatric Protocols for Malaysian Hospitals, developed by the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Paediatric Association, estimate that childhood stroke affects between 2.5 and 13 cases per 100,000 children annually.

Dr Tan said children might not be able to describe their symptoms clearly, while a lack of awareness among parents and healthcare professionals could delay diagnosis and treatment.

“In older children and teenagers, stroke can look much like it does in adults with facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body or difficulty speaking, while babies and toddlers may show more subtle signs such as seizures or difficulty feeding,” he said.

Because stroke is rarely expected in children, parents may wait to see if symptoms pass. However, stroke remains a time-sensitive emergency regardless of age.

Dr Tan advised parents to note when their child was last known to be well and call an ambulance immediately if stroke was suspected, as the timing of symptom onset is important in determining emergency treatment options.

Calling an ambulance allows the emergency system to help coordinate the appropriate destination and facilitate transfer to a facility with stroke expertise. The nearest hospital is not always the one best equipped for an acute stroke.

“Time is brain. If the facility cannot promptly provide the necessary brain and vascular imaging or specialist assessment, the child may need to be referred or transferred, which can mean additional time before the diagnosis is confirmed and specialised treatment can be considered,” he said.

Dr Tan said childhood stroke could be associated with heart disease, abnormalities of the brain’s blood vessels, blood disorders, infections or inflammation, trauma and certain genetic or metabolic conditions, even in children who appeared healthy.

“In most cases, these children have an underlying condition that has yet to be identified. In my practice, the most common underlying cause is an abnormality of the brain's blood vessels," said Dr Tan.

He said investigations to determine the underlying cause could include blood tests, screening for blood-clotting disorders where needed, heart assessments, including an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram, and magnetic resonance imaging with angiography (MRI with MRA) to examine the brain and its blood vessels.

Initial treatment focuses on stabilising the child, controlling seizures and managing complications, with clot-preventing medications used depending on the cause. For selected children who meet strict criteria, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the clot from a blocked artery (endovascular thrombectomy) may be considered with the necessary expertise.

Beyond the immediate medical emergency, childhood stroke could affect attention, memory, learning, communication, emotional regulation and social participation, even when a child appeared to have recovered physically.

“A child may have a relatively good physical recovery but continue to experience difficulties with attention, processing speed, memory, learning, communication, emotional regulation, social participation or confidence, which can have a major effect on school, relationships and everyday life,” he said.

Dr Tan said long-term follow-up is important because some developmental and learning difficulties may only become apparent when children enter school and face greater academic and social demands.

He urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if their child suddenly developed weakness on one side, facial asymmetry, difficulty speaking or an unexplained seizure, stressing that care should focus not only on treating the stroke but also on supporting the child’s development and quality of life.

Meanwhile, SMCV will hold its neuroscience public event, “Brain for Life: The Ultimate Mind & Motion Experience”, from Oct 30 to Nov 1 at the Main Atrium, Ground Floor, Sunway Velocity Mall.

From stroke awareness to memory and brain health, the event covers neurological wellbeing across every stage of life.

Highlights include SunMed Kids’ Club FAST Heroes Campaign by the Angels Initiative (A workshop for children to learn and identify stroke symptoms), interactive game stations, a panel discussion on memory loss and early Alzheimer’s disease, complimentary consultations with SMCV’s neuroscience consultants, complimentary health assessments, and promotions on selected health screening packages.

Visitors can also experience Malaysia’s first educational Stroke Mirror. While not a diagnostic tool, it shows a simulated representation of stroke-related symptoms, helping families learn one of the most recognisable warning signs together. Learn more about the event HERE.

-- BERNAMA