Heather Fullerton
Strokes are the third most common killer of adults in the United States, but they're unusual in children. In fact, pediatricians and family physicians-and parents-often don't consider strokes, even when children show symptoms that would cause instant alarm in adults. For decades, there was a notable lack of research in pediatric stroke.
Pediatric neurovascular specialist Heather Fullerton, MD, MAS, started what she believes is the country's first pediatric stroke and cerebrovascular disease center at UCSF last November. She founded the center after talking to too many parents who were frustrated by how difficult it was to find doctors to treat children who had suffered strokes. "Pediatric neurologists don't feel comfortable with strokes. Adult neurologists don't feel comfortable with kids," Fullerton said. "A lot of these kids are falling into cracks in the system."
The
San Francisco Chronicle interviewed Fullerton for a story about pediatric stroke and an accompanying podcast in which Fullerton speaks about the causes of pediatric stroke, how children are affected by stroke differently than adults, and about the warning signs that parents and pediatricians should watch out for.
Fullerton is assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Related Links:
Chronicle Radio: Gap in Care for Young Stroke Victims
San Francisco Chronicle, August 26, 2007
Pediatric Stroke Doctors Fight View that Only Older Folks Afflicted
San Francisco Chronicle, August 26, 2007
Vascular Imaging Key to Predicting Repeat Childhood Stroke
UCSF News Release, May 2, 2007
