Stroke in Childhood 

What Is Stroke In Childhood?

Stroke in childhood is a medical emergency during which blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped, causing infarction or death of the area of cells in the brain fed by the blocked artery. Stroke is characterized by loss of muscle and brain function according to the location of the lost cells.

The brain is a highly active metabolic and complex organ of our body that performs important functions, therefore, any disruption in its normal functioning can have devastating effects on whole body.

After stroke, an immune response is initiated that leads to production of proinflammatory cytokines (chemicals) and gathering of various inflammatory cells like neutrophils, T-cells, macrophage, and monocytes to the affected area that exacerbate or worsen the ischemic (oxygen starved) injury.1

Arterial ischemic stroke is an important cause of acquired brain injury in children.2 This stroke results from loss of adequate blood flow through an artery that supplies the affected area of the brain with oxygen and nutrients.

A recent study found the majority of  children (85%) had focal features (most commonly one sided weakness or paralysis) at presentation to their medical practitioner. Seizures were more common in younger children a year old or younger and headache was more common in children 5 years or older.3

Who is at Risk in the General Population?

• A British study in 2014 found the crude incidence of childhood arterial ischemic stroke was 1.60 per 100,000 per year.
• The incidence of arterial ischemic stroke was highest in children aged under 1 year (4.14 per 100,000 per year).
• There was no difference in the risk of arterial ischemic stroke between sexes.
• Asian and black children were at higher risk than were white children.3

What Is Stroke in Childhood In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

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1. Andrabi SS, Parvez S, Tabassum H. Melatonin and Ischemic Stroke: Mechanistic Roles and Action. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2015;2015:384750. doi: 10.1155/2015/384750. Epub 2015 Sep 7. [↩]
2. Mallick AA, Ganesan V, Kirkham FJ, et al. Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke incidence, presenting features, and risk factors: a prospective population-based study. Lancet Neurol. 2014 Jan;13(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70290-4. Epub 2013 Dec 2. [↩]
3. Mallick AA, Ganesan V, Kirkham FJ, et al. Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke incidence, presenting features, and risk factors: a prospective population-based study. Lancet Neurol. 2014 Jan;13(1):35-43. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(13)70290-4. Epub 2013 Dec 2. [↩] [↩]