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Welcome to the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, offering support and information to families of infants, children, and young adults who have hemiplegic cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, prenatal stroke, childhood stroke, infant stroke, perinatal stroke, neonatal stroke, in utero stroke, and stroke in neonates. Childhood
Stroke Info Children and infants who have a stroke may experience hemiplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), seizures (epilepsy), speech and language difficulties, learning differences, and may require physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Fifty-eight families of children who have hemiplegic cerebral palsy, often due to an in utero stoke or stroke at birth, a hemispherectomy, or brain infection, gathered in Wisconsin in July for the 5th Annual Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association Family Retreat and Medical conference. Topics explored at the retreat will include Daily Living Skills for children with Hemiplegia, the Neuropsychology of Learning Styles, Challenging Behaviors in Children who are Stroke Survivors, Special Education for Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, as well as a focus on fitness programs, recreation, building friendships, and assistive technology for children with disabilities. Kathie Snow will talk about her current book, Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities. If you would like to connect with other parents with your questions and concerns regarding your child's hemiplegia or stroke, please join our free online e-mail support group. We can also help you locate other families of children who have hemiplegia in your state or country. |
Hemiplegia |
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Prenatal Stroke (before birth) or Perinatal Stroke (period of time around birth): A common cause of childhood hemiplegia is prenatal or perinatal stroke. Prenatal stroke occurs in 1 in 4000 term births each year and most prenatal strokes involve the middle cerebral artery. STROKE IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN IS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE. Stroke in infancy and childhood occurs in 1 in 4000 infants and seven per 100,000 children each year. This makes stroke in children more than twice as frequent as brain tumors in children. Researchers at the University of California - San Francisco Department of Neurology are concerned that infant stroke is severely under-recognized. Because of age-related differences, data from adult stroke studies is not very useful for infants and children. We must increase research into the cause and risk and benefits of treatments of infant and childhood stroke. Cardiac Disorders, Clotting disorders (Coagulation Abnormalities) and infection are risk factors for stroke in the prenatal and neonatal period.
I searched for parents to talk with about infant hemiplegia and infant stroke. I couldn't imagine handling all the therapies and medical issues without the support of other parents. This was the beginning of the Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA). CHASA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is the result of the part-time volunteer work of two moms of children who have hemiplegia.
If you would
like support or information, please join our online
support group where you'll find other parents who
understand the issues surrounding a child who has hemiplegia or
childhood stroke. |
Families in Maryland have added meeting information to the CHASA website. Great article on Traveling with a Child Who Has a Disability
Treatments for hemiplegic cerebral palsy are intended to improve strength and range of motion, prevent contractures, and increase function. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, braces or orthotics, Botulinum Toxin injections, electrical stimulation, medications, and surgery are some of the treatments received by children who have hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Children may also receive speech and language therapy and special educational services to help with learning differences. For more information on treatments for hemiplegic cerebral
palsy, hemiplegia, or hemiparesis, go to the CHASA
Rehabilitation page. |
Epidemiology,
Clinical Features, and Risk Factors in Children with Strokes -
John Hopkins University
Social and Affective Impairments are Important Recovery After Acquired Stroke in Childhood.
June 2004. New York.
Surgery
of the Upper Extremity in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
written by Robert Bunata, M.D. Efficacy
of constraint-induced movement therapy for children with
cerebral palsy with asymmetric motor impairment.
Researchers claim that pediatric constraint-induced therapy
produced major and sustained improvement in motor function.
Research
Update on Pediatric Stroke Stability
of IQ with Age in Children after Perinatal Stroke
Investigation of risk factors in children with arterial ischemic stroke
Did you know?
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Children's
Hemiplegia and Stroke Association 817-492-4325 Site updated: 09/02/04 |
The Children's Hemiplegia and
Stroke Association is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Tax ID: 75-2831215
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Signs of
hemiplegia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegic cerebral palsy may include:
