Pediatric Stroke Causes

What causes ischemic stroke in children?

• Blood clots form in the heart and travel to the brain. This can be caused by congenital heart problems such as abnormal valves or infections. In these cases, children may need surgery or antibiotics.

• About 10 percent of children with sickle cell disease suffer a stroke. In sickle cell disease, the blood cell can’t carry oxygen to the brain. Blood vessels leading to the brain may have narrowed or closed.

• Ischemic strokes can also be caused by trauma that injures large arteries and causes a loss of blood flow. For instance, a large artery might be damaged when a child has a neck injury.

 What causes hemorrhagic stroke in children?

• When a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, blood can't reach its destination. As a result, the brain is deprived of oxygen, which may lead to permanent brain injury.

• Hemorrhagic strokes are most often caused by rupturing, weakened or malformed arteries called arteriovenous malformations (AVMS). The risk of hemorrhage is higher with certain illnesses such as hemophilia.