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Dec 04, 2025By Tanvi Munjal
You never think you will hear the word "stroke" used in relation to your child as a parent. After all, strokes happen to older adults. You might be surprised to learn that children of all ages-from babies to teens-can have strokes.
About 8 out of 100,000 children in India experience a stroke each year. Though it is rare, knowing the symptoms and what to do can save your child's life. Recognizing the symptoms of a pediatric stroke in India is the first step toward protecting your child's health and ensuring timely treatment.
What is Childhood Stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to a part of your brain is either completely stopped or severely reduced. Like all organs, the brain requires a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood to work properly. When this blood flow stops-even for just a few minutes-brain cells begin dying, causing permanent damage.
There are three main types of stroke that can affect children:
- Ischemic stroke: A blood clot clogs a blood vessel in the brain, preventing blood from reaching the brain tissue. This is the most common type of stroke in children.
- Hemorrhagic strokes happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain tissue.
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a special type where blood clots form in the veins that drain blood from the brain.
Raising awareness about pediatric stroke symptoms is important in India, since early recognition significantly improves the outcome of affected children. Research evidence indicates that whereas 2.6–5% of children who suffer a stroke die, 70% of survivors have some form of permanent neurological sequelae. The children's brains are very plastic and can recover and adapt, particularly if treatment starts quickly.
Warning Signs and Symptoms Parents Must Watch For
It is challenging to identify pediatric stroke symptoms in India, as young children, especially, may not be able to express their symptoms. The apparent warning signs should be known to every parent.
Healthcare professionals recommend using the FAST test to identify stroke in children:
- F - Face: Ask the child to smile. Observe if one side of their face droops.
- A - Arms: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm or leg. Can your child raise both arms and keep them raised, or does one drift downward?
- S - Speech: Listen for slurred speech, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding what you're saying.
- T - Time: If you observe any of these signs, call emergency services immediately. Time is critical.
However, children may exhibit additional symptoms that differ from those of adults. Watch for these warning signs:
In infants and young children:
- Seizures, including staring spells or violent shaking of limbs
- Extreme sleepiness or unusual irritability
- Difficulty feeding or refusing to eat
- Using only one side of the body consistently
In toddlers and older children:
- Severe, sudden headache, often accompanied by vomiting (about 27% of children with stroke present with headache
- Vision problems like double vision, blurred vision, or sudden loss of sight
- Dizziness, loss of balance, or difficulty walking
- Confusion or changes in consciousness
- Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
Studies have estimated that 55% of children with stroke present with non-specific symptoms, such as headache and a change in mental status, which makes diagnosis difficult. Trust your parental instinct-if something feels seriously wrong with your child, seek immediate emergency medical help.
Childhood Stroke Causes: What Parents Should Know
Understanding the causes of stroke in childhood helps parents understand their child's risk factors so they can discuss them with their pediatrician. Stroke is rare in children, but some conditions put children at increased risk
Common causes of ischemic stroke include:
- The most common cause is congenital heart defects. Abnormal structures within the heart can allow blood clots to form and travel to the brain.
- Sickle cell disease greatly increases the risk of stroke-at least 10% of children with sickle cell disease will have a stroke.
- Infections such as bacterial meningitis, chickenpox, and even severe COVID-19 can cause strokes. A stroke might occur up to six months after a bout with chickenpox, increasing stroke risk during that time period.
- Dehydration, especially among children in hot climates like India, can create severe issues during the summer months.
- Blood vessel abnormalities such as Moyamoya disease (where the main brain arteries become narrowed) can lead to stroke.
- Head or neck trauma can injure blood vessels and cause a stroke.
- Causes of hemorrhagic stroke include:
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)—abnormal tangles of blood vessels—are the main reason why children have hemorrhagic strokes.
- Bleeding disorders like hemophilia or low platelet counts make brain bleeding more likely.
- Sometimes, brain tumors can cause bleeding into the brain tissue.
It's necessary for Indian parents to be aware that tuberculosis is still a major cause of childhood stroke in India, where children usually exhibit hemiplegia, or sudden weakness on one side of the body. A baby's risk of stroke can also be raised by maternal factors during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
When to Rush to the Hospital
Research has pinpointed key warning signs that strongly suggest stroke in children:
- Your child was well and healthy this past week, then suddenly developed concerning symptoms.
- Inability to walk or stand normally.
- Focal weakness in the face or arm.
- Sudden severe headache described as "the worst headache ever".
- Seizures without a previous history of epilepsy.
- Loss of consciousness or severe confusion.
- Rapid deterioration of any symptoms.
According to medical experts, "Acute onset of focal neurologic deficit in a child is stroke until proven otherwise". And when in doubt, always seek emergency care.
Prevention and Long-term Outlook
While not all strokes are preventable, parents can take steps to reduce risk:
For children with known risk factors, regular medical monitoring, particularly for cardiac abnormalities and sickle cell disease, is required. Keep the children well hydrated, especially in hot weather conditions. Undertake prompt treatment of infections, along with age-appropriate immunizations. Safety equipment, including helmets and car seats, should be used to avoid head injuries.
Fortunately, the brain of a child is very flexible and capable of fast restoration. Early intervention, rehabilitation therapies, and family support result in remarkable recoveries for most children. The ParentZ app can help you track your child's developmental milestones, therapy appointments, and medication schedules during the recovery journey.
Conclusion
Although stroke in children is rare, every parent should be aware of the warning signs. Whether you notice sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, difficulty with speech, or any other symptoms that don't feel right, act fast-just call emergency services immediately. Your quick action can save your child's life and reduce long-term disability. Trust your instincts, learn the FAST signs, and remember that spotting the symptoms of pediatric stroke in India prepares you for swift action at just the right time.
Ready to track your child's health milestones? Download The ParentZ app for health tracking, vaccination reminders, and expert pediatric guidance. Or visit www.theparentz.com for comprehensive child health resources and parenting tools trusted by families across India.
References:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4692008/
- https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-in-children/pediatric-stroke-causes
- https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/pediatric-stroke
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pediatric-stroke
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11531028
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