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

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.

[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>