Childhood Stroke Survivors Face Elevated Mental Health Risks, Study Finds

A recent preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 reveals that children who have suffered an ischemic stroke may experience significantly higher rates of mental health challenges compared to their peers. Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto conducted a retrospective analysis of 161 school-age children who experienced an ischemic stroke between 2002 and 2020. The findings indicate substantial psychological burdens among childhood stroke survivors that often go unrecognized in clinical practice.

The comprehensive analysis found that 13% of childhood stroke survivors showed signs of depression, 13.7% exhibited anxiety, and 17.4% experienced somatization—physical symptoms like stomach aches and headaches without clear medical causes. The median age of greatest vulnerability for mental health disorders was identified between 8.5 and 9.6 years old, with children who were older than 2 at the time of stroke onset being more likely to show signs of somatization. These findings suggest specific developmental periods when children may be particularly susceptible to psychological challenges following stroke events.

Study coauthor Nomazulu Dlamini emphasized that psychological symptoms are often underrecognized in children, making this research crucial for identifying which children are at higher risk and developing targeted interventions to support their mental health and improve their quality of life. Jennifer Crosbie, another study coauthor, noted that while significant progress has been made in managing physical outcomes of childhood stroke, the long-term mental health effects are now becoming more apparent. She stressed the importance of early intervention and increased awareness for both parents and healthcare professionals working with this population.

Heather J. Fullerton, who was not involved in the study, highlighted the novel finding of high somatization prevalence in young stroke survivors and recommended proactive mental health screenings for all childhood stroke survivors older than 2 years. The study's limitations include its single-site nature and reliance on questionnaire-based assessments rather than clinical evaluations, but the findings nonetheless underscore the critical need for comprehensive mental health monitoring in children who have experienced a stroke. The research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025 represents an important step toward addressing the psychological needs of this vulnerable patient population.