Children's Hospital Colorado
Stroke Program

Stroke in Children

We see more, treat more and heal more kids than any other hospital in the region.

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What is a stroke?

There are two major types of strokes:

  • Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain.
  • Ischemic strokes are caused by lack of blood flow, oxygen and/or or nutrients to the brain, often triggered by a clot.

What causes a stroke?

In children, strokes can be caused by abnormalities in blood vessels in the brain or neck, excess clotting, sickle cell disease and certain heart or metabolic conditions. Often, however, the cause of strokes in children remains unclear.

Who can have a stroke?

Only about 2-6 out of every 100,000 children in the U.S. will suffer a stroke each year. Strokes in children occur less commonly than in adults, but the consequences can be equally devastating.

Because a stroke is a rare disorder in children, optimal stroke care for them requires expertise from a variety of pediatric medical specialties, including hematology, neurology, radiology, rehabilitation, neurosurgery, neuropsychology, cardiology and other areas.

What types of strokes are treated at Children's Hospital Colorado?

  • Arterial ischemic strokes
  • Hemorrhagic strokes
  • Recurrent transient ischemic attack
  • Moyamoya syndrome/disease
  • Neonatal hemorrhagic strokes
  • Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT): venous stroke, secondary to a clot in one of the major veins in the head
  • Thrombophilia: a condition of increased risk for developing blood clots in the veins or arteries due to increased blood clotting

Get to know our pediatric experts.

Nina Robinson, CPNP-PC

Nina Robinson, CPNP-PC

CPN, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Beth Warren, MD

Beth Warren, MD

Hematology/Oncology - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Why?

Jennifer Disabato, CPNP-AC/PC

Jennifer Disabato, CPNP-AC/PC

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Why?

Suzanne Smolik, CPNP-PC

Suzanne Smolik, CPNP-PC

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Why?