Background and objectives: Pediatric Stroke is a neurological disorder in which the patient suffers with two or more
Pediatric stroke is a focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours because of stenosis, occlusion or rupture of
cerebral blood vessels. Variable etiological factors are involved ranging from cardiac, haematological, infectious,
immune mediated to arteriopathies which is emerging as most important cause of arterial ischemic stroke in children.
In this review article we will discuss paediatric stroke with its epidemiology, etiological factors in particular
arteriopathies, diagnostic modalities, management protocols and outcome.
Methods:
We searched stroke in Pubmed and found 15315 articles, narrowed down to stroke in children (3814) and selected
45 articles for review.
Review:
Stroke in children is defined as a focal neurological deficit that persists for more than 24 hours and is caused by
stenosis, occlusion or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. Stroke may be arterial, venous or because of occlusion of
venous sinuses. Arterial strokes may be ischemic, haemorrhagic or ischemic-haemorrhagic.
About half of strokes in children are of arterial ischemic strokes in contrast to adults where about 80-85% strokes are
of arterial ischemic strokes. Stroke in children is comparable to brain tumors and is one of top ten common causes of
death in children.
Arterial ischemic stroke in children has significant risk of mortality and morbidity leading to functional disability of
patient along with financial burden over family and society. In one study it was estimated that 10-25% of children with
stroke die, 25% have recurrence and about 66% of children have neurological deficit after recovery from acute illness
or have future epilepsy, behaviour disorder or learning disabilities.
Early recognition and prompt treatment of paediatric stroke can reduce mortality, morbidity and in return can reduce
both social and financial burden over society.
Conclusion:
In this review article we will discuss paediatric strokes, epidemiology, risk factors, differential diagnosis, investigations,
management protocols, preventive measures and outcome.