Stroke in children – What a new international study shows

by time news

The stroke in children⁢ it is rare and the symptoms can often be different⁢ from those in adults. A new study ⁣recently published in the ‌prestigious​ medical journal ‍Lancet Childhood and Adolescent⁢ Health, showed that a thrombectomy operation can also offer children significant chances of recovery and improved quality of life.

Stroke in children: Symptoms​ that need attention

Stroke in children is rare, but can have serious consequences. Symptoms can be subtle and often different from those of adults, so parental attention is important:

  • Sudden weakness or⁣ numbness on ⁢one⁣ side of the body
  • Sudden‌ difficulty speaking
  • Difficulty with ​balance or⁣ walking
  • Vision problems, ‍such as diplopia or vision loss
  • Spasms (rhythmic movements on one or both sides of the body)

What is thrombectomy?

“It‌ is a minimally invasive method in which a clot ⁤is mechanically removed ⁢from a ‌blood vessel ‍in the brain, restoring blood flow and reducing the effects of stroke. This treatment has been established as a ​life-saving intervention for adults with severe strokes and is particularly effective when applied ⁤within a few​ hours of the onset of symptoms”, as explained by the⁢ professor of the School of‌ Medicine of⁢ the University of Athens, Panagiotis Papanagiotou, who took part in the international study.

Main findings of ‌the study

The study⁤ included 208 children from 45 ‍centers in 12 countries and looked at cases of children with severe stroke who⁤ were treated with thrombectomy or⁢ medication. Main results include:

  • Better recovery at discharge: Children who⁤ underwent thrombectomy did better at discharge than children who received medication alone, even ‌if their symptoms were more severe at first.
  • Higher rate for good recovery: 81% of children who ⁢underwent thrombectomy regained good functional ​independence, with little or no difficulty in their daily lives, compared to 63%‍ of ⁢children who received‌ medication alone.
  • Greater ⁣chance of full recovery: More than half of children (51%) ⁤who underwent ​thrombectomy returned to full daily activity without any functional limitation, compared to 42% of children who received medication alone.

The case of the 15-year-old patient

  • About a year ago, the case of a 15-year-old girl who suffered a severe stroke and was ⁤successfully treated by thrombectomy became public knowledge.⁤ Thanks to the thrombectomy, the girl‍ regained her ​speech and mobility ​within minutes of the operation and fully returned to a normal life.
  • The girl presented with ⁣sudden paralysis on⁣ the right⁤ side and difficulty speaking, ⁤and ‍the⁤ thrombectomy, performed by the teams of ⁤Professor Mr.‍ Papanagiotou and⁣ Professor Mrs. Vassilopoulos at the Center for⁣ Interventional Treatment of Strokes, which operates in⁢ collaboration with the Aigineteio hospitals, Aretaiio and Alexandra, ​resulted in her immediate recovery.
  • Mr Papanagiotou commented: “Although⁢ stroke in children is ⁣rare,⁢ we need to be ‍alert for such cases, as early diagnosis and treatment can really change ⁢children’s lives. We have managed several cases of children⁢ with ‍severe stroke over the past few years, and each time we see ​the significant benefits ‍that thrombectomy can provide.”
  • This ⁤study, the largest of its⁤ kind, highlights the importance of thrombectomy as a basic treatment option for children with severe stroke, as long as the operation ⁤is performed immediately, ⁣within ⁣the first hours of the onset of symptoms, offering hope and prospects​ for full recovery.

Source of RES-EMP

Interview between ⁣Time.news Editor and Dr. Panagiotis ‍Papanagiotou

Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news, ⁢Dr. Papanagiotou! It’s great to have you⁤ here ⁣to discuss this critical and often ⁤overlooked ⁢topic: strokes in children.

Dr.⁤ Papanagiotou ​(P): Thank you⁤ for ⁢having me! I’m‍ excited to shed some light on this subject.

E: To start, could you explain why strokes, particularly in children, are​ such ‍a critical​ issue?

P: ‌ Absolutely. While strokes are more frequently associated with adults, they can⁤ and do occur in ⁣children, albeit ‌rarely.⁢ The symptoms⁤ in ⁤children​ may not be as obvious, which can lead to delays ‌in treatment. This makes parental awareness and recognition of the symptoms paramount.

E: That leads us to the symptoms. What ‍should parents be on the lookout for?

P: Parents‌ should be​ vigilant for ⁢sudden ​signs of weakness or ⁤numbness on one ‍side⁢ of⁣ the body, difficulty speaking, balance issues, vision ‌problems such as double vision or sudden vision loss, and ‌spasms. These ‍symptoms can‍ be quite subtle and easily misinterpreted as⁣ something less serious.

E: It sounds like ​a lot to digest. If a parent‌ suspects their ⁣child is having a⁢ stroke,⁤ how critical is⁣ the timing of treatment?

P: Timing is crucial. ⁤The sooner a child receives appropriate medical attention, the⁣ better the chances of a positive outcome. That’s⁣ where treatments ⁤like thrombectomy come into play, which can dramatically improve recovery outcomes if administered quickly.

E: Speaking of ‌thrombectomy, can you encapsulate what it is⁣ and its significance in treating pediatric ⁣strokes?

P: Thrombectomy is a minimally ⁤invasive ‍procedure‌ that physically removes a blood clot from ‍the brain, restoring blood flow. ‍This technique has been a game-changer for adults with severe strokes, and our recent study indicates it can ⁤also be highly effective ​for children.

E: Your recent study published‍ in Lancet Childhood and Adolescent Health revealed some encouraging outcomes. Can you​ summarize the key ‌findings for us?

P: ⁣Certainly! Our study included 208 children from ⁣45 centers across 12 countries.⁢ We found that children who underwent​ thrombectomy had significantly better recovery at ‍discharge ‌compared to those who received medication alone, even if their initial symptoms were more severe. Remarkably, about 81% of​ the children in the⁤ thrombectomy ⁢group regained good⁢ functional independence, versus just 63% in the​ medication group. More ⁣than half experienced⁢ a⁢ full recovery.

E: Those are impressive​ numbers! What does this ⁤mean for the future treatment of strokes in children?

P: This‌ research opens the door for more widespread use of​ thrombectomy in pediatric stroke cases. It highlights‍ the importance of⁢ early recognition and intervention, which could lead to actionable policies and training for healthcare​ providers on best ⁢practices for⁣ treating⁣ strokes in children.

E: With strokes being so rare in children, do⁢ you⁤ think there’s a lack of⁢ awareness among⁤ both parents⁣ and healthcare​ professionals?

P: Yes, absolutely. The rarity of ‍pediatric strokes can lead⁤ to under-recognition. Therefore, initiatives to raise awareness,⁣ improve education for both parents and practitioners, and establish protocols for quick ⁣diagnosis ​are vital in ensuring ​that children receive the best possible care when they need it.

E: This insight is incredibly valuable, Dr. Papanagiotou. Thank you ⁢for joining us and sharing your expertise on this crucial topic.

P: Thank you for having me! ‍It’s essential ‍we continue the conversation around​ pediatric strokes to better​ protect our children’s health and well-being. ‌

E: Definitely! ⁢We⁢ hope ⁢to hear more about ongoing research in the‍ future.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Statcounter code invalid. Insert a fresh copy.