Could the Common Cold Increase Stroke Risk in Children?

A common cold might sound relatively harmless to most of us; even catching a minor infection or virus, while painful, might just be more annoying than anything. However, that's not the case for children.

Recent findings published in the journal Neurology show that catching a common cold or the flu can significantly increase stroke risk in some children.

"It seems infections play a role in causing a stroke in those who are somehow predisposed to the problem," said Dr. Heather Fullerton, lead author of the study and a professor of neurology and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, via Health Day. "A stroke is just one rare but bad possible complication of an infection."

For their research, the study authors analyzed data on about 2.5 million children. From this large sample, close to 100 children had suffered from an ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel has an obstruction that prevents proper blood flow to the brain.
Researchers compared this group to another 300 children who did not suffer from a stroke. However, they noted that they didn't examine children dealing with major infections, including meningitis or sepsis.

Findings revealed that children who had suffered from a stroke were 12 times more likely to have been to doctors for a minor infection just a few days before the health issue occurred. Furthermore, 80 percent of the infections were categorized under upper respiratory infections, including colds and flu. Researchers were not able to identify what caused the children's stroke risk to increase. However, some theorize that it may have had to do with the body's inflammatory response to infection.

Researchers estimate that overall mortality risk from a stroke can range from five to 10 percent for children. Many who survive the health issue may also deal with mental and physical development issues. 

Parents need to be aware of the clear-cut signs and symptoms for stroke in children so that they can seek emergency treatment for the health issue. A child suffering from a stroke may have seizures, severe headaches, difficulty speaking or walking, weakness on one side of the body and/or a sudden loss of vision or balance.