Strokes in children may be more common than some parents realize, and doctors say recognizing the warning signs quickly can make a difference in a child's recovery.

Dr. Stuart Fraser, a pediatric vascular neurologist with Memorial Hermann and UTHealth Houston, told KPRC 2 News that the rate of stroke among children ages 1 to 15 is about one in 20,000. Doctors say strokes in children can happen for several reasons, including infections that may trigger inflammation or affect blood vessels in the brain.

Fraser said research over the past two decades has found an association between certain infections, including the flu and chickenpox, and strokes occurring weeks to about a month later.