Need stroke care for an adult?You never thought kids could have strokes — until your child did.
While strokes are rare in people younger than 18, they can happen. When your child has a stroke, they’ll need quick emergency care. Ongoing treatment will help them rebuild skills and confidence — at the pace that’s right for them.
When your child needs expert stroke care, Cleveland Clinic Children’s is here. Our specialists understand that stroke care for children isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Our team will be there — from the first critical moments to ongoing therapy and follow-up at every step. We’ll offer guidance and support as you navigate this unexpected journey.
Our team makes sure your child’s needs come first. We see each child as a whole person. We provide expert stroke and medical care, with added support from child life specialists and social workers every step of the way. Meet our team.
Our specialists are national leaders in children’s neurology, as well as stroke treatment and research. Experts from neurology, neurosurgery, imaging, critical care and rehab combine the latest science with teamwork to make sure your child gets the best possible care.
As your child recovers, we make care simple. Your child can see pediatric neurology specialists at Main Campus. For some follow-ups or quick check-ins, you may even meet your child’s providers from home with a virtual visit.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized throughout the U.S. for our expertise and care.
Strokes happen when the brain doesn’t get enough blood flow. There’s no difference in the types of strokes that affect babies, kids or teens compared to adults.
Strokes caused by brain bleeds are called hemorrhagic strokes. Those from blood clots are ischemic strokes. And just like adults, your child can have transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) — often called mini strokes. We treat all of these.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s also treats stroke-causing conditions like:
Strokes in children can be hard to spot. Their symptoms sometimes look different from those associated with adult strokes. Sometimes, providers may not even learn a child has had a stroke until they have developmental delays.
But often, there are warning signs, like:
If you notice any of these sudden signs, call for emergency medical care right away. Acting quickly can have a big impact on your child’s recovery — and our team is ready to help the moment you need us.
If we suspect your child has had a stroke, we act quickly to understand what’s happening and start their care right away. We start by asking about your child’s medical history and any symptoms you’ve noticed. Then, we do careful physical and neurological exams. These help us see how the stroke has affected your child’s movements, speech, vision, breathing and more.
From there, we use the latest testing and imaging to pinpoint the type of stroke and its cause. Your child may have:
These exam and test results help us craft a highly personalized treatment plan for your child.
Caring for a child who’s had a stroke takes a team. From emergency care through recovery, our specialists from multiple areas work closely together to make sure your child gets the right care at the right time. This team may include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
When your child has a stroke, every moment matters. You can trust our neurology team to move rapidly and focus on what your child needs most. We build their care plan around their condition with treatments focused on helping them recover so they can get back to doing what they love.
The first step is to find out what kind of stroke your child had. If scans show a clot is blocking blood flow, we may give them clot-busting medicine (thrombolytics). Or we may do a procedure called a thrombectomy to remove the clot and restore blood flow to their brain. If bleeding has caused the stroke, your child may need surgery to stop it and relieve pressure inside their skull.
Many children who have strokes recover well. But if your child has changes in how they move, talk or think, therapy and follow-up care will help them progress.
After emergency treatment, your child may need to take blood thinners (anticoagulants) to help prevent another stroke. We may also recommend occupational, physical or speech therapy to help them regain strength and confidence.
It’s also important to:
If the stroke is related to another health condition, like AVM or sickle cell disease, our team will manage those conditions, too. And if you notice new symptoms between visits, reach out to your child’s provider.
Nothing is more unexpected than when your child has had a stroke. No matter how your child’s recovery unfolds, our compassionate team will be by your family’s side. We’re experts in stroke care for children — and can help your child rebuild their skills and confidence.
Getting an appointment with one of our pediatric stroke experts is easy. We’ll help your child get the care they need.
Manage your Cleveland Clinic account. Find billing information and financial assistance, plus FAQs.
Securely access your personal health information at any time, day or night.
Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.
Health LibraryFind answers to your health questions from experts you can trust. It's like having a friend who's a doctor.