CHILDREN WITH MOYAMOYA
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh
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There's almost nothing more heartbreaking than to find out your child is sick, especially with a rare neurological disease. However, there is hope, and you, your child and your family are not alone.
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Moyamoya is a progressive condition, meaning that it gets worse over time, so children need treatment to reduce their risk of stroke. The following information is presented in partnership with Boston Children's Hospital Moyamoya Program. With more than 25 years of experience in treating moyamoya, the program is an international leader in understanding and treating this life-threatening condition. ​
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Moyamoya disease diagnosis and treatment | Boston Children’s Hospital - Bing video
What happens during surgery for moyamoya? - Bing video
What parents should know about moyamoya - Bing video
What happens after surgery for moyamoya? - Bing video
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What causes moyamoya in children?
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At this time the causes are not well understood. That is primarily because the disease is so rare. Research indicates there are a variety of aspects that may play into the condition including genetics, autoimmunity and traumatic injury. According to Boston Children's hospital, "seven percent of children with moyamoya are believed to have an inherited gene defect. However, in at least half of all known cases of moyamoya, the disease has no identifiable cause." Moyamoya seems to impact girls more than boys. While it is seen in all nationalities, there does seem to be a higher percentage of moyamoya in the Asian population.
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Prominent Pediatric Centers
University Children's Hospital of Zurich
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Pediatric Research
Pediatric moyamoya disease: An analysis of 410 consecutive cases - PubMed (nih.gov)
Research identifies noninvasive biomarker for moyamoya in children (medicalxpress.com)
Surgical outcomes for pediatric moyamoya: a systematic review « metajournal.com
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Other helpful sites
Stroke in Children | American Stroke Association
Moyamoya Childrens Books (moyamoya-center.com)
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