NBC reports on pediatric stroke?

[Guest guest]

another result of vaccines?

I graduated nursing school and worked peds from 1971 - 1978 (and

previously in high school) and again in the late 80's.

NEVER ever saw a child with a stroke.

Sheri

Anybody mention this story that was on NBC last night? Apparently

it will be in tomorrow's NY Times. Personally, I never knew

this:

" As documented in Tuesday's Times story, pediatric stroke is

estimated to be the sixth leading cause of death in children. "

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/-7-Suffers-a-Stroke-82119942.html

, 7, Suffers a Stroke

By

JONATHAN DIENST

Updated 8:00 PM EST, Tue, Jan 19, 2010

My 7 year-old son collapsed in a playground holding his

head. He could not walk. His speech was slurred. He had difficulty

moving his left arm. Doctors would later tell us our 7 year-old

child had suffered a stroke.

My wife and I had never heard of strokes in children. Many

others - including doctors - still haven't. That is why I wrote an

essay in the

New York Times Science Times

section Tuesday about what happened to . As difficult as it is

to tell 's story, our family wanted to shed light on the issue of

strokes in infants and children that has for the most part existed in the

shadows.

Our family's journey included visits with top researchers across the

country in a desperate effort to try to find out why this happened to our

son. While certain pre-existing conditions can cause stroke in

kids, my son did not have any of those ailments. Doctors never

could find a cause.

Our son spent months recovering, re-learning how to walk, to speak, to

play. Our family is blessed. has made a remarkable

recovery.

As documented in Tuesday's Times story, pediatric stroke is

estimated to be the sixth leading cause of death in children. Researchers

say while uncommon, it does affect thousands of infants and children

every year. And studies show incident rates are increasing due to

better reporting by hospitals.

After the Times story ran, here at

NBC New York we have received many calls

and emails from families whose children have also been affected by

pediatric stroke. Some of those children have recovered, others

continue to work through resulting disabilities.

It is our hope 's story will help increase awareness of, and improve

treatment for, children who suffer strokes.