Pediatric Stroke

What is Pediatric Stroke?

If you think your child may be having a stroke, do not wait to seek medical attention! Go to the nearest children's hospital emergency room as quickly as possible!

STROKE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY AGE - infants, children and even before birth.

Pediatric Stroke is a condition affecting one in every 4,000 newborns and an additional 2,000 older children each year.
The signs and symptoms are the same as adults and typically begin suddenly.
Remember BEFAST, or RAPIDO en espanol and call 9-1-1 immediately. Other symptoms include extreme lethargy or drowsiness.
TIME IS BRAIN - a stroke starves the brain tissue of oxygen ultimately causing brain cells to start dying. This can happen in as little as FOUR minutes after the onset of stroke.

download

Meet Our Pediatric Stroke Team

Melika Abrahams, RN, BSN, CPN
Cerebrovascular Nurse, UTHealth Pediatric Stroke Program
Department of Pediatrics | Division of Child & Adolescent Neurology

Stuart Fraser, MD
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Neurology
Director, Program for Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease at the Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease at UTHealth Houston

David Sandberg, MD, FACS, FAAP
Neurological Surgery and Pediatric Surgery

Ian Butler, MD
Professor
Distinguished Chair In West Syndrome Research

Stephen Fletcher, DO
Associate Professor, Division Of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Brandon Miller, MD, PhD, FAANS
Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Department of Pediatric Surgery and Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery McGovern Medical School at UTHealth

Keely Smith, MD, FAAP
Division Chief, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Manish Shah, MD
Associate Professor, Division Of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Thao Nguyen, DO, FAAP
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Lakshmi Srivaths, MD
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist

Who Are We?

We provide clinical care and research related to pediatric stroke and cerebrovascular diseases. Pediatric stroke is an under recognized medical emergency that is among the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Currently, there is a shortage of pediatric neurologists specifically trained in diagnosis, acute management, and long-term care of pediatric patients with cerebrovascular diseases. We work closely with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital to diagnosis, treat and support children and families affected by pediatric stroke.

Pediatric Stroke Clinic

Though more common in adults, stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in pediatric patients and there are few centers with specific expertise in treating pediatric stroke. Pediatric patients with stroke have specific and unique biologic and developmental needs, and our team of pediatric neurologists, vascular neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, nurses, and MAs is built with those needs in mind. For more information, visit the Children's Neurology and Neurosurgery page here. or the Memorial Hermann Vascular Anomalies Clinic page here.

The Pediatric Stroke Clinic with UT Physicians provides comprehensive stroke care for neonates, infants, children, and adolescents who suffer from stroke or other cerebrovascular disorders, including moyamoya disease, intracerebral hemorrhage, neonatal stroke, and childhood stroke.

Though more common in adults, stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in pediatric patients and there are few centers with specific expertise in treating pediatric stroke. Our missing is to provide comprehensive and cutting edge medical care to children affected by cerebrovascular disease. In coordination with our colleagues in neurosurgery, hematology, oncology, pediatrics, and PM&R, we offer full-service coordinated care for any child who has suffered from cerebrovascular disease.

Pediatric Stroke Clinic is held weekly.

Clinic information:
Pediatric Stroke Clinic
6410 Fannin, 5th floor
Houston, TX 77030
Wednesday afternoons, 1pm-5pm

Appointments/Referrals:
Office Number: 713-500-7164
Email: pedistroke@uth.tmc.edu

Our Team:
Stuart M. Fraser, MD, Director
LaKeesha Minor, RN BSN
Brenda Melendez, MA

What Causes Pediatric Stroke?

Stroke in children can be from a broad range of causes. Certain conditions and diseases can bring on strokes including:

Congenital heart disease
Placenta disorders
Blood Clotting disorders
Infections like meningitis
Diseases affecting arteries in the brain
Infections affecting the brain and other organs
Head trauma
Sickle Cell Disease and other genetic/inherited conditions
Autoimmune Diseases

Here is a link to the most current FACT SHEETS page from the International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke to learn more about Pediatric Stroke

Family Tool Kit

The International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke has resources for families (in English and Spanish) if you:

have a newly diagnosed child
are a hospital who'd like to support your pediatric stroke families
clinic, doctor, therapist who have pediatric stroke patients

View, download or request a hard copy of their FAMILY TOOL KIT today to start your journey

Research

I-ACQUIRE is a clinical trial offering Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy to infants and toddlers who have had a stroke.

For more information on I-AQUIRE, visit their website at nihstrokenet.org/clinical-trials/recovery-rehab-trials or reach out to Emily Stevens, OTR at 713-500-7914 or Emily.A.Stevens@uth.tmc.edu

i-ACQUIRE Recruitment Flyer English IRB Approved Emily Stevens Contact_Page_1

i-ACQUIRE Recruitment Flyer English IRB Approved Emily Stevens Contact_Page_2

UTHealth Pediatrics

The mission of the Department of Pediatrics is three-fold:

to provide the highest quality and cost-efficient medical care to infants, children, and adolescents entrusted to us
to advance the knowledge in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral science through our research programs
and to provide excellence and innovation in the training of the next generation of pediatricians and sub-specialists through our medical student, residency and fellowship programs.

To learn more, CLICK HERE