Specialist diagnosis and management — Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
बच्चों में स्ट्रोक दुर्लभ लेकिन गंभीर है। यदि बच्चे में अचानक कमजोरी, बोलने में दिक्कत, या चेहरे का झुकना दिखे — तुरंत आपातकालीन देखभाल लें।
Pediatric stroke — brain attack in children — is far less common than in adults but is an important cause of neurological disability in childhood. It affects approximately 2–8 per 100,000 children per year and occurs from birth through adolescence. Pediatric stroke includes both ischaemic stroke (blocked blood vessel) and haemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain). Causes in children differ substantially from adults — sickle cell disease, congenital heart disease, infection, prothrombotic disorders, and vascular anomalies (including Moyamoya disease) are important paediatric-specific causes. Dr. Nishant Gopaal won 1st Prize at the National Pediatric Stroke Congress 2024 for research on Moyamoya disease — one of the rarest and most complex causes of childhood stroke.
Acute management follows FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) principles — immediate hospitalisation is essential. Secondary prevention depends on the underlying cause. Anti-platelet therapy (aspirin) for ischaemic stroke; anticoagulation for cardioembolic and prothrombotic causes; regular blood transfusion or hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease. Moyamoya disease requires neurosurgical revascularisation (EDAS/pial synangiosis) — Dr. Gopaal coordinates multidisciplinary management with neurosurgery for these complex cases. Rehabilitation — physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy — is essential to maximise recovery.
Book a Consultation →Yes. Stroke occurs at all ages including in neonates and infants. Childhood stroke is rare but real and important — it is one of the top 10 causes of death in children and a significant cause of long-term disability.
Moyamoya is a rare progressive cerebrovascular disorder in which the main arteries at the base of the brain gradually narrow and block. Tiny abnormal vessels form to compensate, giving the characteristic 'puff of smoke' (moyamoya in Japanese) appearance on angiography. It presents with stroke, TIAs, or headache. Dr. Gopaal's award-winning research focused on characterising Moyamoya disease in Indian children.
Children generally have better recovery potential than adults due to greater brain plasticity. However, recovery depends on the extent and location of injury, the underlying cause, and the intensity of rehabilitation. Many children make substantial recovery with intensive early therapy.