When we hear that a child has had a stroke, our first reaction is often one of surprise. We all know that older people are susceptible to stroke, but most of us probably have never imagined what it would be like to have a stroke in a child. All parents want to understand exactly why their child is having a stroke. Because many children with stroke are already suffering from other diseases, it is frustrating and difficult for parents to understand why all the misfortunes are happening at the same time. It is important to understand the medical terminology or concepts at this time. Sickle cell anemia (SCD) is the most common cause of stroke in children. 17-24% of children with SCD have strokes, mostly between the ages of 3 and 10 years, and patients with SCD are usually younger than 15 years or older than 30 years are more likely to have ischemic strokes, while hemorrhagic strokes are more common in patients between 20 and 30 years. Symptoms of stroke in children Stroke is when damage occurs to a part of the brain and the symptoms depend on which part is damaged. Different parts of the brain have different functions. Different parts of the brain control how we speak and think, how we move, if we perceive light, smell, hear, and touch. If the part that controls language is damaged, the child will have trouble speaking or understanding language. If the part of the body that controls movement is damaged, that part of the child’s body tissue will become weak. Some children may have visual impairment or motor incoordination. Other children may have subtle symptoms, such as lack of concentration or numbness in very small areas of the body, such as the palms of the hands or fingers. Many children have non-specific symptoms, such as headaches or sleepiness. Some children may develop seizures, and in rare cases, a massive stroke can lead to coma or even death. Your doctor can tell you what part of your child’s brain is damaged and how the symptoms were triggered.