It was a regular day on the basketball court when Chicago teen Mekhi Bailey took a hit to the neck — nothing unusual for an active kid. But the next morning, one side of his face and body drooped.
Mekhi was having a stroke.
Most parents don’t connect stroke with children, but experts say we should.
According to Dr. Henry David, Pediatric Neurologist and Director of Neurocritical Care at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, stroke can happen to children at any age — even at birth — and is often misunderstood or missed altogether.
“The highest risk window for stroke in your entire life is at birth — more than when you’re 75 years old,” he explains. One in every 500 babies has a stroke, and the risk is also elevated for older children with congenital heart or sickle cell disease.
Early signs of stroke can be subtle or mistaken for something else. Knowing what to look for could make all the difference.
Here, Dr. David shares the signs, risks and next steps every parent should understand — so you can act quickly if your child shows signs of stroke.
The invisible risk of stroke at birth
At birth, a baby’s circulatory system is uniquely vulnerable. Fragile blood vessels in the placenta and a newborn’s open heart structure create a perfect environment for stroke-causing clots to reach the brain.
“It’s just bad luck,” says Dr. David. “There’s nothing a parent could have done to prevent it.”
Early signs are hard to detect in newborns, and many strokes are only recognized later — often when a baby shows delayed development or weakness on one side.
Causes of stroke in older kids and teens
Injuries to the neck or lower head cause almost half the cases of stroke in kids ages 13-18. Other causes include viral infection or chronic diseases that create “stickier” blood, according to Dr. David.
Common scenarios include:
- Sports injuries
- Car accidents with whiplash
- Hyperextension of the neck during physical activity
Symptoms don’t necessarily occur immediately. A tiny tear in the interior of the carotid artery creates a type of interior “scab” during the healing process. “It takes about 12-24 hours for that clot to mature, and that’s when it can break off and travel to the brain,” Dr. David explains, adding that Mekhi Bailey’s injury was a perfect example.
“He’s playing basketball at 7 p.m. and injures his neck. The next morning, he’s eating breakfast with his mom and that little clot breaks off as the wound is healing, and it goes to his brain. Suddenly, he can’t talk. He can’t move one side of his body.”
Why a pediatric stroke protocol matters
When a child shows signs of stroke, every minute counts. But most pediatric strokes go untreated — because standard stroke treatments aren’t used on children, and many hospitals don’t have a clear process for what to do next.
The pediatric stroke protocol used at UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital brings together emergency, neurology, radiology and surgical teams to act fast when stroke is suspected. It outlines exactly how to evaluate, diagnose, and decide whether advanced treatments — like clot-dissolving medication or surgery — are an option.
This kind of care doesn’t happen by accident — it takes a coordinated effort, says Dr. David.
“Comer is a very special hospital for that reason. Everyone is on the same mission,” he says.
Instead of delays, children are assessed quickly. If they meet the criteria, treatment begins — and outcomes improve.
“If we’re not willing to let a child lose a leg to a blood clot, why would we let them lose their brain?” Dr. David asks.
What stroke looks like in kids and teens
In children, stroke symptoms are easy to spot — if you know what to look for.
“Kids tend to show the classic signs,” says Dr. David. “Weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, and slurred speech. Those are the big three.”
These signs are especially common in children age 2 and older, and they often appear suddenly.
Other red flags may include:
- Sudden trouble walking or keeping balance
- Loss of coordination
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
In infants, the signs can be harder to recognize. Some may present with seizures, feeding problems, or trouble breathing — but these signs are easy to mistake for other conditions.
Dr. David emphasizes that if a child shows any of these signs, it’s critical to seek emergency care without delay.
What parents and caregivers can do
If your child shows any signs of stroke, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away.
It’s also important to know where to go. Not every hospital is equipped to treat pediatric stroke. If possible, ask to be taken to a hospital that treats children and has experience with stroke, such as UChicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital.
For families in the Chicago area, access to a hospital with a pediatric stroke protocol can be life-changing. Knowing what to watch for — and where to go — is one of the most important things you can do.
Final takeaway
Pediatric stroke is relatively rare — but real. And when it happens, recognizing the signs and acting fast can change everything.
More children are surviving and recovering well, especially when they receive timely care at hospitals prepared to treat stroke in kids — like UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital.
Knowing what to look for could save your child’s life — or someone else’s.
“You might never need this information,” says Dr. David. “But if you do, it could save your child’s life — or someone else’s.”
This content is sponsored by UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. Learn more at ComerChildrens.org.
