III 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 468 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 21, 2012 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Chambliss) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and recognizing May as National Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month.

Whereas a stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, 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 4,000 live births, and the risk of stroke from birth through age 18 is nearly 11 out of every 100,000 children per year; Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth; Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for children in the United States; Whereas between 20 percent and 40 percent of children who suffer a stroke die as a result; Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have 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 age groups; Whereas the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of stroke is 24 hours, putting many affected children outside the window of 3 hours for the most successful treatment; Whereas between 50 and 85 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 very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of pediatric stroke; Whereas medical research is the only means by which the citizens 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)acknowledges May as 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 childhood 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 government, researchers, families, and the public to improve treatments and prognoses for children who suffer strokes.