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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 237 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 237

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
   childhood stroke and recognizing May 2013 as ``National Pediatric 
                       Stroke Awareness Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 23, 2013

    Mr. Himes (for himself, Ms. Lee of California, and Mrs. Beatty) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to 
   childhood stroke and recognizing May 2013 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 stroke occurs in approximately 1 out of every 3,500 live births, and 
        affects nearly 5 out of every 100,000 children age 19 and under 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 between 20 percent and 40 percent of children die as a result of a 
        stroke;
Whereas stroke recurs in 10 percent of children who have previously experienced 
        a stroke;
Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 
        year is the highest out of all child age groups;
Whereas treatment of stroke in adults using thrombolytic therapy within 3 to 6 
        hours of the onset of symptoms is the cornerstone of acute stroke 
        treatment, but thrombolytic therapy is generally not recommended in 
        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 those disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;
Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments resulting from strokes that 
        occur during childhood and young adulthood have a considerable impact on 
        children, families, and society;
Whereas not enough is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of 
        pediatric stroke;
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 stroke; and
Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of pediatric stroke greatly improves the 
        chances that the affected child will recover and not experience a 
        recurrence: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes ``National Pediatric Stroke Awareness 
        Month'';
            (2) urges the people of the United States to support the 
        efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that 
        work to enhance public awareness of pediatric stroke;
            (3) supports the work of the National Institutes of Health 
        in pursuit of medical progress on the matter of 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 strokes.
                                 <all>
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