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Arterial strokes in children
Karen S Carvalho1, Bhuwan P Garg
1James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Section of Pediatric Neurology, Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Barnhill Drive, Room #1757, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5200, USA. kcarvalh@iupui.edu
Insights
Pediatric stroke is a significant cause of death and disability in children. Diagnosis and treatment, including anticoagulation and thrombolysis, remain challenging and require further systematic study.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric stroke is increasingly recognized as a critical cause of mortality and morbidity.
- Diagnosis is complicated by nonspecific symptoms and overlapping risk factors.
- Current therapeutic strategies, particularly anticoagulation and thrombolysis, lack systematic investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of pediatric stroke.
- To discuss the natural history, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options for pediatric arterial hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on pediatric stroke.
- Discussion of diagnostic challenges and therapeutic controversies.
- Analysis of existing data on stroke management in children.
Main Results:
- Pediatric stroke presents with varied and nonspecific symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
- Risk factors for stroke in children are diverse and can overlap.
- Therapeutic interventions like anticoagulation and thrombolysis are not well-established through systematic studies.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric stroke necessitates focused research due to its impact on child health.
- Further systematic studies are crucial to define optimal diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.
- Understanding the natural history is key to improving outcomes for children with stroke.
Abstract:
Pediatric stroke has received special attention in the recent literature. It is now recognized as an important cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric population. Varied and poorly specific symptomatology as well as overlapping risk factors makes the diagnosis of stroke in childhood challenging. Therapy remains controversial. The use of anticoagulation and thrombolysis in the management of acute stroke in children has not been systematically studied. In this article, we discuss the natural history, investigation, and treatment of pediatric arterial hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.