A stroke can happen not only in an elderly person, but even in a child. Therefore, it is important to know its signs in order to provide help in time.
Among children, premature babies are at particular risk. Those who were born weighing less than 1 kg, almost all have micro-strokes or more severe conditions. In children weighing from 1 to 1.5 kg - in 35-40% of cases, but even in children of normal weight, a 10% risk of stroke remains.
Possible causes of a stroke in a child:
- head injury while in the womb
- kinking or compression of the vertebral artery
- infections transferred in the womb
- excess blood circulation
- formation of aneurysms
- congenital heart disease
- congenital malposition of veins and arteries
- tumors and cysts of the brain
- intrauterine oxygen starvation
- hypothermia
- insufficient blood clotting
- low blood sugar
- medical errors during delivery
- hydrocephalus
Most often, children have hemorrhagic stroke (about 70% of cases). The remaining 30% is ischemic stroke.
Stroke symptoms in children:
- squint, rapid movement and rolling of the eyes, rolling of the eyeballs.
- elevated or unstable body temperature
- tremor, convulsions
- muscle hypertonicity or vice versa hypotension
- changes in heart rate, breathing
- drop in blood pressure
- hearing problems
- nausea, vomiting, frequent regurgitation
- constant crying
- pronounced reaction to minimal stimuli - light, sound, smell
- pallor of skin
- excessive tension in the back of the head
- lethargy, drowsiness
The duration of these manifestations with a microstroke is from 1 minute to a day, with acute cerebral ischemia - longer than 24 hours.
If you find alarming symptoms, you need to urgently call an ambulance.First aid before ambulance arrives:
1. Lay the child on his back, bend his knees, and raise his head a little.
2. Remove all tight and tight clothing.
3. If vomiting occurs, turn your head to the side.
4. Provide fresh air around the baby.
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