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

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 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.

Summary: Recognizes National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month. Urges: (1) 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; and (2) 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. Expresses support for the work of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in pursuit of medical progress on pediatric stroke.