July 20, 2026, 10:57 a.m.
Kristin Guilliams, MD, WashU Medicine pediatric neurologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, explains the causes of stroke in children.
- Congenital heart disease, sickle cell disease, or other genetic variants affecting blood vessels and clotting can cause strokes.
- Other causes may include bacterial infections, such as bacterial meningitis, or viruses that cause the immune system to attack blood vessels.
- Trauma to the head or neck is the most common cause for stroke in a previously healthy child.
- A stroke is most likely to occur the first two weeks after an injury. Parents should seek help for behavior changes during this time.
If you’re concerned that your child has had a stroke or is at risk of having a stroke, talk to your pediatrician or visit the Emergency Department at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. Find the St. Louis Children’s Hospital pediatric Emergency Department location nearest you.
