Stroke is one of the leading causes of death among infants and young children, and diagnosing adolescent stroke needs to be a priority in the medical community to prevent misdiagnosis leading to serious injury or death, according to an article in The New York Times.
The New York City medical malpractice attorneys and the birth injury lawyers at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool represent clients who have been seriously injured by a doctor or hospital's failure to diagnose or failure to manage a stroke injury.
Stroke, by some estimates, is the sixth-leading cause of death in infants and children; The Times cited the statistic in pointing out that doctors and hospitals need to be far more aggressive in detecting and treating children with stroke-like symptoms.
Strokes kill more than 130,000 people each year in the United States and are the third-largest cause of death behind cancer and heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
"Front-line providers need to have stroke on their radar screen as a possible cause of sudden neurological illness in children," said Dr. Rebecca N. Ichord, director of the pediatric stroke program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Symptoms can include slurred speach, droopy eye, stiffness, and an inability or sudden difficulty in walking or standing; all signs quickly recognized as a possible stroke in adults.
Additionally, strokes are often treated with anticoagulants to prevent another stroke; misdiagnosis of a stroke injury in either an adult or child can lead to greater harm and even death.
"A stroke interrupts the blood supply that brings oxyggen to the nerve cells," neurologist Dr. Maurine Packard told The Times. "Without oxygen, the nerve cells die. The longer the blood supply is compromised, the greater the injury."
If you or a loved one has suffered medical malpractice or medical negligence, call the New York City medical malpractice lawyers and the New York birth injury attorneys at Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 866-LifeLaw (866-543-3529).
