Most people think of stroke as a disease of old age. But newborns have as high a risk of stroke as the elderly. A neonate (newborn) is an infant in their first 28 days of life. A stroke in this time period of life is more common than parents realize.
What is stroke and how common is it?
A stroke is a sudden stoppage or decrease in the flow of blood in the brain, severe enough that it causes damage to the brain. There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic stroke is when the blood flow to the brain is diminished, usually because of a clot, called a thrombus, in one of the blood vessels in the brain. There are two types of ischemic stroke that occur in children, especially newborns: arterial ischemic stroke, where the clot is in an artery in the brain, and sinovenous thrombosis, where there is a clot in one of the veins in the brain.
Hemorrhagic stroke is when a blood vessel in or near the brain ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain.
The incidence of stroke in the newborn period is very high compared to infancy and childhood. Data for stroke in babies suggests the risk is 1 out of 1000 live births. After the newborn period, the risk of stroke drops significantly, and remains low until old age.
What are the symptoms of stroke in newborns?
Stroke in newborns usually show no clinical symptoms, and the problem often goes unrecognized and thus untreated until the baby is much older. We refer to these strokes as presumed perinatal arterial ischemic strokes (PPAIS). The usual symptoms seen in older children and adults, such as speech problems, numbness on one side or imbalance, are difficult or impossible to detect in a newborn.
Of the newborns who do show symptoms, the vast majority present with a seizure. Seizure is the most recognizable sign of stroke in this age group. The symptoms of seizure are sometimes difficult to spot in newborns and they include
- repetitive facial movements, including sucking, chewing or eye movements
- unusual bicycling or pedaling movements
- staring
- apnea, or pauses in breathing associated with slowing of the heart
- rhythmic jerking movements involving the muscles of the face, tongue, arms, legs or other regions
- stiffening or tightening of muscle groups
- quick, single jerks involving one arm or leg or the whole body
One major sign of stroke in adults is weakness on one side of the body. However, the newborn brain is immature, and this symptom may not appear in a newborn with a stroke. Generally, about 15% of newborns who have had a stroke show less movement on one side of their body. One-sided weakness becomes easier to recognize as the baby gets older.
"Handedness" is a symptom of stroke that may arise some time after the newborn period, from around six weeks to six months of life. These babies may favour their left or right hand and reach out more with that hand. In healthy children, you would not expect to see handedness until about 12 months.
Why do strokes occur in newborns?
In pregnancy, proteins come across the placenta from mother to fetus, which help to decrease the risk of bleeding. However, this puts the fetus at higher risk for clotting and stroke. Also, sometimes clots can form in the placenta and travel to the fetus' blood circulation. These clots may eventually make their way to the baby's brain and cause a stroke.
Labour and delivery are other common times when stroke can occur in newborns. Childbirth can cause tremendous strain on the baby's head. Stress on the arteries and veins in the baby's head may lead to clot formation and stroke.
In addition, newborns come into the world with thicker blood than the rest of us, twice as many red blood cells as an adult, and this can lead to clotting. In the first few days after birth, dehydration can be a problem, which can also cause the blood to clot.
What are the risk factors for stroke in newborns?
There are a number of factors that can put a newborn at higher risk for stroke. If the newborn has a birth defect that involves a hole in the heart, it is easier for clots to pass from other parts of the body, through the heart, and up to the brain. If there is a family history of clotting problems, the risk of stroke is higher in the newborn. Serious infections such as sepsis and meningitis can also lead to clotting. Other risk factors are those previously described, such as dehydration and childbirth.
How is newborn stroke diagnosed?
Sometimes stroke can be diagnosed while the baby is still in the womb. Generally, this occurs if a birth defect is suspected, and the mother is given a test called fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The fetal MRI is very effective at detecting stroke in the fetus. Sometimes, it can be detected on a normal ultrasound during pregnancy. Once the baby is born, further imaging of the brain can be done to confirm the diagnosis.
In addition, all newborns who have a seizure should undergo an ultrasound and CT of the head. An MRI may also be ordered. The MRI is more sensitive, but any stroke of significance would be seen on a CT. In an ideal world, an MRI would be done first, followed by other tests called a magnetic resonance arteriogram (MRA) and a magnetic resonance venogram (MRV), to look more closely at the blood vessels in the brain.
How is newborn stroke treated?
In order to treat a stroke, sometimes a medication called an anticoagulant can be given to prevent the clot from getting worse. An anticoagulant decreases the clotting ability of the blood. If the baby has had an ischemic stroke, and there is no evidence of bleeding in the brain, an anticoagulant can be used to stop the clot from getting worse.
Research has shown that the use of an anticoagulant is safe in the treatment of sinovenous thrombosis with no bleeding in the brain. Anticoagulation has been shown to be an effective way to prevent worsening of a blood clot.
On the other hand, newborns who have arterial ischemic stroke generally do not need an anticoagulant unless there is an additional blood clot in the heart that could move up to the brain.
If the baby has had a hemorrhagic stroke, which means that there is bleeding in the brain, an anticoagulant should not be used because it will make the bleeding worse.
What precautions can be taken to prevent stroke in newborns?
Because many newborn strokes actually occur in pregnancy, every precaution should be taken to make sure the fetus receives healthy blood flow while in the womb.
If an expectant mother has a history or family history of clotting disorders, they should be tested to see if they carry a genetic condition called Factor V Leiden, which can cause clotting in the baby. If doctors know that the baby may have this condition, they can take the necessary steps to manage it.
If a baby has too many red blood cells, which can arise if there is a problem during pregnancy or childbirth, the newborn may be prone to developing clots. Stroke can sometimes be prevented in these newborns by giving them a partial exchange blood transfusion where the blood is diluted with saline.
Once the baby is born, dehydration can sometimes cause the blood to clot. Bring your newborn in to see a health-care provider if you notice any of the following signs of dehydration:
- dry mouth
- fewer wet diapers than usual
- tearless and sunken eyes
- a sunken fontanel, which is the 'soft spot' at the top of your newborn's head
- reduced feeding
It is important for parents to be aware of stroke in the newborn period. If you think that something is wrong with your baby, bring them to a health-care provider. If your health-care provider agrees that your baby could have had a stroke, they will refer your baby to a paediatrician or specialist who will launch an investigation. If you suspect your baby is currently showing signs and symptoms of having a stroke, go to your nearest emergency department for assessment.
One way to recognize some of the signs of stroke is to think of the acronym FAST.
- F for face drooping
- A for arm weakness
- S for slurred speech
- T for time to call 9-1-1
What are the outcomes of stroke in newborns?
The newborn brain is "plastic," and therefore it is more able to recover after stroke than an adult brain. The nerve cells in the newborn brain are still forming connections, and this makes it easier for the baby to transfer important functions to other parts of the brain. For example, if the stroke occurred in the part of the brain that controls speech, as the baby gets older, they might be able to transfer control of this function to the other side of the brain. Because of the plasticity of the newborn brain, a newborn may have a significant stroke and still be meeting expected milestones.
With that said, there are a number of common complications that can arise from stroke in newborns, such as cerebral palsy. Epilepsy, language problems, cognitive or behavioural problems, headache disorders and seizure disorders can all emerge as a result of newborn stroke. These conditions may require additional support from specialists in the future.