S.Res. 162 — Engrossed in Senate

S. Res. 162 In the Senate of the United States, June 4, 2013. 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 has an overall annual incidence of 4.6 per 100,000 children age 19 and under; 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 20 to 40 percent of children who have suffered a stroke die as a result; Whereas stroke recurs within 5 years in 10 percent of children who have had an ischemic or hemorrhagic 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 there are no approved therapies for the treatment of acute stroke in infants and 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 Senate— (1) recognizes May 2013 as National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month; (2) urges the people of the United States to support the efforts, programs, services, and 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. Secretary