Childhood strokes are related to seizures!

While childhood strokes are uncommon, people still need to be aware that they can happen, doctors said.

Tanzera Hall, 12, of Baltimore, started going to Johns Hopkins Children's Center when she was 7 after she was diagnosed with moya moya syndrome, a rare condition that causes seizures and strokes.

Pediatric neurologist Dr. Lori Jordon hasn't seen Tanzera in a year, but said about 3,200 children have strokes a year.

While it's not common, there are important signs to watch for, Jordan said.

She said weaknesses of the face, hands and arms on one side of the body, slurred speech and seizures affecting one side of the body all could be signs of childhood stroke. Children with those symptoms need to seek medical attention immediately, Jordan said.

Tanzera is still recovering from her illness. She said she has trouble reading and remembering things, but she is making progress.