About the Pediatric Stroke Program
At the Pediatric Stroke Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, our goals are to:
- Minimize damage from a child's first stroke
- Prevent a repeat occurrence
- Increase awareness of childhood strokes
As part of the Division of Neurology, the program is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurology fellows and residents, neurosurgeons, a nurse, a social worker and other allied health professionals.
Expert care
Our training and focus is specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric stroke and on pediatric stroke prevention. The program has been designed to bring together the services of all specialists involved in your child's care. This begins in many cases with the doctors and nurses in CHOP's Emergency Medicine Department, and often subsequently involves the staff of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Division of Hematology and Cardiac Center.
Our program provides:
- Early diagnosis and intervention for children with stroke in order to improve their recovery rate and prevent recurrence
- Early diagnosis and close monitoring of children at high risk for stroke
Advanced technology
The Pediatric Stroke Program works closely with CHOP's Department of Radiology where the latest imaging technology is available to accurately diagnose stroke and the conditions which cause stroke. Children's Hospital neuroradiologists are specially trained in pediatric care.
Rehabilitation
The Pediatric Stroke Program also works closely with CHOP's Center for Rehabilitation to help children recover from stroke. Specialized inpatient and outpatient programs are designed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a rehabilitation physician, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, social worker and neuropsychologist, all working to help children reach their full recovery potential.
Family-centered care
A child's stroke affects everyone in the family. The Pediatric Stroke Program at Children's Hospital provides education and support for families of children with strokes or at high risk for stroke, and encourages active involvement of the family in all phases of care. Along with sensitive and caring medical staff, Children's Hospital has specially trained social workers, psychologists and child life specialists who help families cope with the many stresses associated with stroke. Learn more about the many family support services and resources available to you.
Research and training
Pediatric Stroke Program physicians are actively involved in research that focuses on many aspects of pediatric stroke care, including accurate and early diagnosis, new treatments and prevention strategies, the relationship between stroke and congenital heart disease, and the effect of stroke on complex brain function, such as thinking and learning. The program also provides comprehensive training aimed at teaching healthcare providers about the signs, symptoms and treatment of stroke.
One new research project underway is investigating the effects of rehabilitation on walking ability and brain motor pathways after pediatric stroke. For more details about the study, please visit our research page or contact the study’s principal investigator Laura Prosser, PT, PhD, research scientist in the Center for Rehabilitation at CHOP.
