Strokes are typically thought of as an adult condition but children can be stricken as well. Many children with anemia have been reported recently as having had their strokes missed in diagnosis. A recent study from Dr. Michael Dowling in the Children’s Medical Center, Dallas has shown its findings. The study was given at the American Stroke Association conference held February 11, 2011.
The Child Stroke Study
The study at the Children’s Medical Center Dallas showed that of 1% of admissions were for anemia, a total of 400 kids. Those 400 children were cut to 52 kids for the study testing. These 52 children were then divided to 22 with sickle cell anemia and 30 with other types of severe anemia. These children were tested with a new type of MRI.
The MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging scan, shows a detection for signs of stroke, even if it’s an older stroke. Fresh strokes were found in 4 of the sickle cell kids and 2 in the other anemia group. Silent strokes were detected in 3 of the sickle cell group kids and 7 in the other group for anemia. These strokes were not showing any obvious signs because of the severe anemia state of the children.
Stroke Risk
Children with sickle cell anemia, a condition that is prevalent in African Americans and affects 70,000 to 100,000 Americans, have a higher risk of strokes than other children. Other children with severe anemia caused by things such as trauma blood loss, cancer, or kidney failure can also have “silent strokes” where the symptoms are not noticeable.
Anemia Symptoms
Typical textbook anemia symptoms include fatigue, weakness, looking pale, decreased energy, shortness of breath, palpitations and a lightheaded feeling. Severe anemia signs include chest pains, rapid heartbeat, fainting, and dizziness.
Stroke Signs
Stroke symptoms and signs that are typical are:
- Severe headache
- Sudden vision issues
- Sudden numbness
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden walking problems
- Sudden balance issues
- Sudden facial paralysis
Symptoms depend on whether it is a clot or a bleed.
Those children that have severe anemia may have silent strokes without noticeable signs. Those kids should be checked frequently by MRI to monitor their health more closely instead of relying on textbook symptoms, as symptoms may not be visible. Strokes can happen suddenly and be one big event or a series of smaller strokes that have a more gradual decline of the patient and a gradual visual of symptoms.
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
