Strokes up among teens and adolescents

(WPRI) - We've uncovered a shocking health trend; more and more young Americans are having strokes. So how you can spot this unexpected danger?

A local family is hoping to raise awareness about childhood strokes after the injury struck their infant son without warning. At first glance, Gregory Ball looks like your average 11-year-old.

He enjoys reading, skiing, swimming, and playing with friends at school. But for the past decade, Gregory has been battling the devastating effects of a stroke he suffered during child birth.

Because he was so young, the symptoms took several months to show up. His mom, Jill Ball, says "We would put toys out for him and we noticed he really seemed to be neglecting the right side of his body. He wouldn’t use that hand at all."

So at just six months old, Gregory had an MRI. The results brought devastating news. "It was a cerebral-vascular accident, a CVA," says his mom. "And I'm like, what is that? It's a stroke."

His parents put Gregory into treatment programs, and quickly discovered their child wasn't alone. "Stroke in children is something we actually see as a neurologist fairly often," says Doctor John Gaitanis, a Child Neurologist at Hasbro Children's Hospital. "So in my own practice I might diagnose five or six patients every year."

We've learned that strokes among teens and adolescents are up 37% in just the past 14 years. Doctor Gaitanis has been working with Gregory for years. He says awareness is key for parents.

And when spotting a stroke, the symptoms known as "fast" apply to kids as well as adults. "FAST would stand for face, arm, speech and time," he says. "So an impairment of facial strength, arm strength, or speech. Any of those impairments require urgent attention."

Now 11 years into their fight, Gregory's family has one enduring message about strokes in young people. "I would say number one, never give up hope," says Jill Ball. "We've got a variety of challenges, but he's worked really hard. I'm very proud of him."

"The initial news sounds really devastating to a parent, and to a family," says Doctor Gaitanis. "But the thing to keep in mind is that kids can do great."

Gregory's mom and dad have even started a support group here in Rhode Island to raise awareness about pediatric stroke, and help local families with the cost of treatment.

Click here to contact their group for more information.

• What is a stroke?
• Stroke Center at Rhode Island Hospital
• Contact for Childhood Stroke Walk RI at childhoodstrokewalkRI@cox.net