CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Childhood stroke
PAEDIATRIC STROKE
HCA UK offers urgent treatment for a child who has had a stroke and a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme to help recovery
Can a child have a stroke?
A stroke can occur in children as young as 29-days-old. As with adults, a childhood stroke will either be caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain (ischaemic) or when the blood leaks from a burst blood vessel to the brain (haemorrhagic).
Strokes in children are often caused by existing conditions such as congenital heart disease or sickle cell. In babies, they may be caused when blood clots from the placenta lodge in the brain.
Need to know
Signs of a ischaemic stroke include:
- sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- facial drooping
- speech problems
- headaches
Signs of haemorrhagic stroke include:
- vomiting
- seizures
- occasional headaches
If your child displays these symptoms, it's a medical emergency. Dial 999 immediately. It can be harder to spot symptoms when the stroke happened before or around birth, but there may be delayed development or trouble moving one side of the body.
A consultant paediatric neurologist will examine your child immediately. They will most likely send your child for an MRI or CT scan to confirm they've had a stroke. At HCA UK we have radiolographers who are experience with scanning children and will talk you through the process. Both scans display the affected area of the brain, as well as the blood vessels. This should take around an hour.
If your child's stroke has been caused by a blood clot (ischaemic), they may be given blood-thinning medicine to prevent a stroke from happening again.
When your child is well enough, a team of neurorehabilitation specialists will help your child adapt to the lasting effects of a stroke. These specialists include:
- a paediatric physiotherapist to help with movement
- an occupational therapist specialising in children's therapy to help manage day-to-day tasks
- a paediatric speech and language therapist to help with improving speech
- a psychologist to help your child deal with the psychological effects of the stroke and improve cognitive skills.
Our dedicated multidisciplinary team will help your child for as long as they are needed.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.