IV 

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; 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 237 IH 

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 efVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:40 May 24, 2013 Jkt 029200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR237.IH HR237

smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 237 IH 

fective 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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes ‘‘National Pediatric Stroke 

3 Awareness Month’’; 

4 (2) urges the people of the United States to 

5 support the efforts, programs, services, and advocacy 

6 of organizations that work to enhance public aware7 ness of pediatric stroke; 

8 (3) supports the work of the National Institutes 

9 of Health in pursuit of medical progress on the mat10 ter of pediatric stroke; and 

11 (4) urges continued coordination and coopera12 tion between the Federal Government, State and 

13 local governments, researchers, families, and the 

14 public to improve treatments and prognoses for chil15 dren who suffer strokes. 

Æ 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with BILLS