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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 10/2010

01-10-2010 | Special Annual Issue

Pediatric stroke: the importance of cerebral arteriopathy and vascular malformations

Authors: Lauren A. Beslow, Lori C. Jordan

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 10/2010

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Abstract

Purpose

Population-based estimates of the annual incidence of childhood stroke range from 2 to 13 per 100,000 person-years. More than half of children who have had a stroke have long-term neurological sequelae. The goal of this article is to review recent literature on both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in children with a focus on cerebral arteriopathy and vascular malformations as stroke risk factors. Additionally, we review diagnostic studies for childhood stroke, outcome data, and regional and geographic practice differences.

Methods

PubMed was searched using the terms child, childhood, pediatric, stroke, ischemic, intracerebral hemorrhage, vasculopathy, and vascular malformation. Reference lists of these articles were reviewed for additional key publications. Preference was given to articles published since the year 2000; however, seminal articles in the field were also reviewed.

Results

Pediatric stroke is a heterogeneous disorder and a major cause of morbidity in the pediatric population. Five-year recurrence risk is estimated to be 5–19%. Children with cerebrovascular abnormalities are at the highest risk of recurrence (66% at 5 years for ischemic stroke in one study). Furthermore, cerebral arteriopathy including arterial dissection may account for up to 80% of childhood stroke in otherwise healthy children.

Conclusion

In many cases, evaluation and treatment of pediatric stroke is not evidence-based, and regional and geographic variations in practice patterns exist. Ultimately multicenter cohort studies and dedicated pediatric clinical trials are essential to establish comprehensive evidence-based guidelines for pediatric stroke care.
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Metadata
Title
Pediatric stroke: the importance of cerebral arteriopathy and vascular malformations
Authors
Lauren A. Beslow
Lori C. Jordan
Publication date
01-10-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 10/2010
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-010-1208-9

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