A stroke occurs when the blood supply to any part of the brain is interrupted, resulting in tissue death and loss of brain function. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.

• A number of strokes occur prior to birth; but it is unclear how often this appens.

• One in 4,000 live births.

• Six out of 100,000 children.

• 12 percent of children die due to stroke.

• More frequent in children less than one year old.

• 25 percent happen in infancy, often around childbirth.

Symptoms vary according to age of the child

• Infants: seizures, apnea, poor feeding and/or hand preferences before six months of age.

• Children: delays in gross motor development, tightness or restricted movement in arms and legs and/or language delays.

• Older children: acute hemiplegia.

• Infants may not present with symptoms for several months.

• Non-use of affected limb attributed to normal hand preference.

• Delays in crawling or walking attributed to normal lateness.

• Normal cognitive functioning doesn't raise suspicion.

• More than 85 percent of newborns who have a stroke survive to adulthood.

• More than 50 percent of infants and children will have serious, long-term neurological disabilities including hemiplegia, seizures, speech, vision, behavioral and learning difficulties.

• Requires acute and long-term rehabilitation