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Who Are We?

At UTHealth’s Pediatric Stroke Program, we provide clinical care and conduct research related to pediatric stroke and cerebrovascular diseases. Pediatric stroke is an underrecognized medical emergency, among the top 10 causes of morbidity and morality in the pediatric population. Currently, there is a shortage of pediatric neurologist specifically trained in diagnosis, acute management and long-term care of pediatric patients with cerebrovascular diseases. Our pediatric stroke program works closely with our partners at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital to provide comprehensive medical care to children and families affected by pediatric stroke and cerebrovascular diseases.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide pediatric stroke patients with compassionate, comprehensive, and personalized care. We strive to support our patients by creating a nurturing and inclusive community for children with cerebrovascular disease. We are committed to performing innovative, cutting-edge research to continuously advance stroke care for young stroke survivors.

Meet Our Pediatric Stroke Team

Melika AbrahamsMelika Abrahams, RN, BSN, CPN
Cerebrovascular Nurse, Pediatric Stroke Program

Department of Pediatrics | Division of Child & Adolescent Neurology
UTHealth Houston

Stuart FraserStuart 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 SandbergDavid Sandberg, MD, FACS, FAAP
Neurological Surgery and Pediatric Surgery

Ian ButlerIan Butler, MD
Professor
Distinguished Chair In West Syndrome Research

Stephen FletcherStephen Fletcher, DO
Associate Professor, Division Of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Brandon MillerBrandon 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 SmithKeely Smith, MD, FAAP
Division Chief, Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Manish ShahManish Shah, MD
Associate Professor, Division Of Pediatric Neurosurgery

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

Lakshmi SrivathsLakshmi Srivaths, MD
Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist

What Is A Pediatric Stroke and What Are Potential Causes?

A stroke occurs when blood that carries oxygen and nutrients stops flowing to a part of the brain. Without a steady supply of blood flow, brain cells in the area begin to die within seconds.

Stroke in children can be from a broad range of causes. Certain conditions and diseases can increase risk for 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

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

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

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

If you think your child may be having a stroke, do not wait to seek medical attention! Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest children's hospital emergency room as quickly as possible!

STROKE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY AGE - 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.

Remember BE Face drooping Arm weakness Speech difficulty Time to call 9-1-1 or RAPIDO 

BEFAST Signs of stroke acronym Balance Eyes Face Arm Slurred Speech Time to call 911

Pediatric Stroke Clinic

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, with few centers specializing in the treatment of pediatric stroke. We recognize these patients have specific and unique biologic and developmental needs, so we created a team of pediatric neurologists, vascular neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, nurses, and medical assistants. In coordination with our colleagues in 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, Suite 500
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
Melika Abrahams, RN, BSN

Pediatric Research

At the UTHealth Pediatric Stroke Program, our mission is to put our patients first. We see research as a special journey that helps us provide better care and improve life for those we look after. Just like a detective uses clues to solve a mystery, we use research to find new ways to help kids with stroke get better.

UTHealth Stroke Program has been conducting high caliber research in stroke for a long time, and our Pediatric Stroke Program is proudly carrying that tradition forward. We are part of the International Pediatric Stroke Study, where we work with other scientists from all over the world. We are also involved in other research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, as well as conducting retrospective and prospective studies. These studies focus on how we can better treat stroke when it happens and help children recover afterwards.

Want to help us on this journey? We're always looking for volunteers to join our studies. Check out the information below to learn more about our studies that are currently recruiting participants. Together, we can make life better for kids with stroke.

Pediatric Stroke Studies

  • Describe

    Describe - Coming Soon

  • I-ACQUIRE

    Perinatal Arterial Stroke: A Multi-site RCT of Intensive Infant Rehabilitation (I-AQUIRE)

    The UTHealth Pediatric Stroke Program is part of a nation-wide research study named I-ACQUIRE. This study is focused on helping young children who had a stroke when they were born. Specifically, we are trying to help children who had what is called a Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke (PAS). Children who have difficulty moving one side of the body or the other from this type of stroke are potentially candidates.

    In this study, we're testing two different levels of a new kind of therapy (I-ACQUIRE) to see how it helps kids aged 8 to 36 months who had PAS. This study will include 240 children, randomly divided into three groups:

    1. Moderate Dose group: Children in this group will receive the I-ACQUIRE therapy for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks.
    2. High Dose group: Children in this group will receive the I-ACQUIRE therapy for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks.
    3. Usual and Customary group: Children in this group will continue to receive their regular therapy in their community.

    We will carefully track each child's progress from the beginning of the therapy, at the end of 4 weeks, and then 6 months after the therapy. Our goal is to learn more about the best ways to help children who have had a PAS.

    To see study flyer CLICK HERE

    The study is recruiting patients currently. If you are interested in having your child participate in this study or just want more information, feel free to reach out to Samantha Acosta at the email below.

    PI: Stuart Fraser, MD

    Coordinator: Samantha Acosta, MA

    Contact: Samantha.D.Acosta@uth.tmc.edu

  • FOCAS

    The FOCAS study is a critical research project being shared by multiple children’s hospitals in the United States aimed at improving treatment for children who may have a condition called Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy of childhood (FCA). FCA is a disease that can lead to stroke in children when one side of the brain does not receive sufficient blood supply.

    While FCA is not common, it poses a serious risk due to its potential to quickly worsen, causing recurrent or expanding strokes. This study, FOCAS, is designed to determine the most effective treatment strategy.

    The study will involve two groups:

    Group A: Children in this group will receive a medication known as corticosteroids immediately upon suspicion of FCA.

    Group B: Children in this group will receive corticosteroids only if their FCA shows signs of progression.

    To gauge the effectiveness of the treatment, we will use a measure called the FCA Severity Score (FCASS). We will compare the score from the beginning of the study to 1 month later. In addition, we will measure the size of any strokes and assess overall child health outcomes at 6 months.

    The FOCAS study is poised to significantly enhance our understanding and treatment of children with FCA. The study is expected to begin in September 2023.

    The study is recruiting patients currently. If you are interested in having your child participate in this study or just want more information, feel free to reach out to Neena Patel at the email below.

    PI: Stuart Fraser, MD

    Coordinator: Neena Patel

    Contact: neena.patel@uth.tmc.edu

  • TOPSS

    TOlerability of transcranial direct current stimulation in Pediatric Stroke Survivors

    The TOPSS Study is a research project by the UTHealth Pediatric Stroke Program that's looking at new ways to help kids get better after a stroke. This study is for kids and teenagers who had a stroke when they were at least 1 month old and now have a hard time moving one side of their body.

    In this study, kids will try a new type of treatment for stroke. They'll get regular occupational therapy, which helps them learn to do daily tasks, along with a special treatment called non-invasive neuromodulation, which uses safe and gentle electricity to try to help the brain recover. Kids between 5 and 19 years old who have trouble moving their arm because of a stroke can join this study.

    If your child joins the study, they'll have 5 occupational therapy sessions to try to improve the use of their weak arm, and at the same time they'll also receive the non-invasive neuromodulation treatment. We hope that this might help them use their arm better after having a stroke.

    Dr. Stuart Fraser is in charge of the study, and Melika Abrahams is the research nurse who will help with the study.

    The study is open now and we are recruiting. If you or your child would like to be part of the study, you can email pedistroke@uth.tmc.edu or call Melika at 713-500-7164.

    To see study flyer CLICK HERE

    This study is partially funded through the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology Pilot Grant Program.

  • IPSS

    The International Pediatric Stroke Study (IPSS) is the largest childhood stroke registry in the world. UTHealth and Children’s Memorial Hermann are part of this registry, joining a worldwide network of children’s hospitals who share data about pediatric stroke to learn important information to try to help children with stroke.

    Dr. Stuart Fraser is the IPSS leader at UTHealth.

    For more information, please visit the IPSS website:

    https://internationalpediatricstroke.org/ipss-research

UTHealth Houston 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.

Click HERE to learn more