healthydailymail.com As mentioned previously, it can be very hard to spot stroke symptoms among very young children. Around 40% of infants do not show symptoms of early stroke; a parent may not know their baby has suffered stroke until months later when they show reduced movement or weakness on one side of their face.
A child with a headache
As well as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, other signs of stroke in children may include severe headache, dizziness and vomiting.
Repetitive twitching of the face, arm or leg can be an indicator of stroke in newborns, as can a pause in breathing alongside prolonged staring and extreme fatigue.
As children develop, the signs of symptoms of stroke are very similar to those in adults. Weakness or numbness on one side of the body and problems speaking or understanding language - such as slurred speech or problems understanding simple instructions - may be signs of stroke.
Other signs of stroke among children may include severe headache, vomiting, fatigue, severe dizziness and appearance of seizures.
The American Stroke Association stress that the F.A.S.T. acronym is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke in both children and adults:
Face drooping. Is one side of the face numb or drooping? Is the individual able to smile?
Arm weakness. Is one arm numb or weak? Ask the individual to lift both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech difficulty. Is the individual's speech slurred? Do they find it hard to speak or are they hard to understand? Can they correctly repeat a simple sentence, such as "the sky is blue?"
Time to call 911. If the individual shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately, even if the symptoms disappear. Check the time at which first symptoms appear.
"Think stroke, act fast and call 911. That message applies to adults and children," says Dr. MacKay. "Getting to the hospital quickly is an essential first step to develop strategies to improve access to emergency treatment in children."
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