Senators Blumenthal, Murphy, Ayotte with Rep. Himes Re-Introduce Resolution for National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month

(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) joined with Congressman Jim Himes (D-Conn.-4th) in re-introducing a resolution to recognize May as National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month. This is the third year that the resolution has been introduced, and has been successfully passed by Congress each year. The resolution was inspired by seven-year-old Wilton, Conn., resident Patch Angerame, who suffered a stroke while still in the womb.

“Increased awareness for pediatric strokes will enable more to be done to recognize, diagnose, and treat this horrible condition that affects children across the country,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This resolution helps accomplish our goal to raise awareness that a pediatric stroke can cause permanent neurologic damage or death if not promptly diagnosed and treated.  I am proud and honored to have gotten to know Patch and work with him on this vitally important issue. Patch’s story, and the stories of other children like him, are an inspiration to me and I am committed to continue working hard for the community.”

“Too often, people think of strokes as something that affects only adults and seniors. My hope is that National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month reminds us all that strokes can have devastating consequences at every stage of development,” said Senator Murphy. “What happened to Patch breaks my heart, and further tragedies can only be prevented if Congress steps up and increases funding for the critical research and health services needed to make these important medical advances.”

“This bipartisan resolution will increase awareness of pediatric stroke, a relatively rare condition that can lead to serious neurological damage, learning or developmental disabilities, and even death if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner,” Senator Ayotte said.  “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Blumenthal to introduce this resolution that supports the work being done on pediatric stroke at the National Institutes of Health and calls for well-coordinated efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.”

“We usually think of strokes as affecting only the elderly, but strokes are a leading cause of cerebral palsy and disability in children, and can even be fatal to them,” said Congressman Himes. “After learning of Patch’s story and speaking with his family, I have advocated for increased awareness, research and treatment efforts for pediatric strokes. I am pleased to introduce this resolution so that children at risk of or suffering from strokes may be able to live full, healthy lives.”

The American Stroke Association estimates that pediatric strokes are experiences by approximately 1 out of every 3,500 live births, and 4.6 out of 100,000 children ages 19 each year, and pediatric strokes are among the top 12 causes of death for children between ages 1 and 14 in the United States.

The resolution urges support of programs, services and organizations that provide increased awareness and education on pediatric strokes, supports the work of the National Institutes of Health for medical research and work on pediatric strokes, and urges the coordination between federal, state, and local governments to improve treatments and prognoses for children who suffer from pediatric strokes.

Full text of the resolution can be viewed below:

Senate Resolution 156: Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and recognizing May 2015 as ‘‘National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month’’.

Whereas a stroke, also known as cerebrovascular disease, is an acute neurologic injury that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot in the artery or a burst of the artery;

Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated;

Whereas a stroke occurs in approximately 1 out of every 3,500 live births, and 4.6 out of 100,000 children ages 19 and under experience a stroke each year;

Whereas a stroke can occur before birth;

Whereas stroke is among the top 12 causes of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14 in the United States;

Whereas 20 to 40 percent of children who have suffered a stroke die as a result;

Whereas a stroke recurs within 5 years in 10 percent of children who have had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke;

Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 is the highest out of all child age groups;

Whereas there are no approved therapies for the treatment of acute stroke in infants and children;

Whereas approximately 60 percent of infants and children who have a pediatric stroke will have serious, permanent neurological disabilities, including paralysis, seizures, speech and vision problems, and attention, learning, and behavioral difficulties;

Whereas such disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;

Whereas the permanent health concerns of and treatments for strokes that occur during childhood and young adult- hood have considerable impacts on children, families, and society;

Whereas more information is necessary regarding the cause, treatment, and prevention of pediatric strokes;

Whereas medical research is the only means by which the people of the United States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies for pediatric strokes; and

Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric strokes greatly improves the chances that an affected child will recover and not experience a recurrence of a stroke: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) recognizes May 2015 as ‘‘National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month’’

(2) urges the people of the United States to support the efforts, programs, services, and organizations that enhance public awareness of pediatric stroke;

(3) supports the work of the National Institutes of Health in pursuit of medical progress on pediatric stroke; and

(4) urges continued coordination and cooperation between the Federal Government, State and local governments, researchers, families, and the public to improve treatments and prognoses for children who suffer from strokes.