Falls leading to weakness or weakness leading to falls: an eternal dilemma

Abstract

Falls are common among children. A fall may be the consequence of an underlying stroke, or conversely, a fall itself may precipitate a stroke. Additionally, paediatric stroke can present with varied and nonspecific manifestations, making diagnosis challenging. Urgent diagnosis requires timely identification and starting of therapy, which makes recovery faster. Case 1: An 8-month-old male infant developed acute right-sided hemiparesis following trivial fall. MRI brain showed left lentiform nucleus acute infarct, and linear calcification on CT. Child was treated with aspirin, iron, and physiotherapy, with improvement over three months. Case 2: A 16-month-old boy presented with left-sided weakness after a fall. CT head showed linear hyperdensity in right caudate nucleus. Child was managed with aspirin and physiotherapy, with gradual recovery over six months. Aspirin therapy, along with physiotherapy and supportive treatment led to a good response in both the cases. Importance of considering mineralizing microangiopathy in paediatric patients with unexplained neurological symptoms following trauma is emphasized.