How Infections Can Raise Stroke Risk In Children

February 2, 2012

Here’s an article showing that children who suffer from stoke had some sort of infection in the days leading up the event. Researchers from UCSF found that 29% of children who suffered a stroke had an infection within 2 days of the stroke, whereas only 1% had infections in the control group.

It’s likely that if you already have narrowed breathing passageways, any additional inflammation and swelling will cause even more narrowing, leading to more severe episodes of snoring or apneas. We know that obstructive sleep apnea can significantly increase your risk of stroke. Furthermore, blood in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is found to be much thicker and more prone to clotting. 

I’m willing to bet that these children already had some sort of sleep-breathing problem, and the infection tipped them over the edge. Oftentimes, you’ll see large tonsils or adenoids, dental crowding, a high arched hard palate, nasal congestion, and an inability to sleep on their backs. Parents of these children are more likely to snore in this scenario.

Fortunately, this condition is rare (5/100,000), but the consequences can be devastating. This is why it’s important to pick up and address any underlying sleep-breathing issues before complications arise.

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Blog 
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One Response to “How Infections Can Raise Stroke Risk In Children”

  1. Dr. Deb on February 3rd, 2012 12:31 am

    I did not know this and it is quite scary. stroke in children is rare and you don’t think of this being a complication a child might have from OSA. ouch. and it’s not like you can put them on baby aspirin, since it is contraindicated in children.

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