Bengaluru: The lack of awareness when it comes to paediatric stroke is so low and people are often stunned to hear that children can get stroke. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan need to talk about it to create awareness, said Dr Nirmal Surya, president of the Indian Stroke Association (ISA) on Saturday. Speaking at a press conference after the inauguration of the second national paediatric stroke conclave, he said, "Stroke is preventable, but globally paediatric stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in children.
" The two-day conclave, organised by ISA, was inaugurated by Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, chairman and founder of Narayana Health. Situation worse in India According to Dr Surya, lack of awareness is the biggest challenge that paediatric neurologists the world over have to overcome. "In India, the situation is even worse.
When people are not made aware of the possibility of stroke in children, time is lost on misdiagnosis. Time is of the essence because stroke can often be treated with injection if the patient is brought within four and half hours," he added. Stroke can occur even on day one of the birth, reiterated Dr Minal V Kekatpure, paediatric neurologist at Narayana Health, Bengaluru and organising secretary of the conclave.
According to her, paediatric stroke is more common among neonates than older children. "In one lakh, there are about 25 neonates' cases as against 12 involving older children," added Kekatpure. Dr Pratibha Singhi, president of the International Ch.
