Why it matters: When a child has a stroke, every second counts, but stroke symptoms in kids look different than in adults, leading to delayed treatment and worse outcomes.
The big picture: Intermountain Children’s Health, in partnership with University of Utah Health’s Department of Pediatrics, has launched the country’s largest pediatric telestroke network. It connects 24 hospitals across Utah and southern Idaho to pediatric stroke experts at Primary Children’s Hospital in real time.
Warning signs of stroke in children:
- Sudden severe headache
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
- Facial drooping on one side
- Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
- Vision problems or loss of balance
How it works: Through virtual consultation, emergency physicians at any Intermountain Health hospital can connect immediately with a pediatric neurologist who specializes in stroke, bringing expert care closer to families when they need it most.
The human element: Lucy was in eighth grade when a sudden headache stopped her in her tracks. She couldn’t speak. One side of her face drooped. She was having a stroke.
Today, Lucy is thriving in high school. She sings, earns straight A’s, and recently performed at Carnegie Hall with her choir. Her remarkable recovery depended on fast action and immediate access to pediatric stroke experts.
The bottom line: This partnership between Intermountain Children’s Health and University of Utah Health’s Department of Pediatrics brings lifesaving expertise to kids who need it, no matter where they are in the region.