Factor V Leiden mutation and other thrombophilia markers in childhood ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ischemic childhood stroke and thrombophilia. The prevalence of thrombophilia risk factors in 30 unrelated children with ischemic stroke were compared with 33 age-matched control subjects. Patients and control group were tested for the presence of activated protein C (APC) resistance, antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA), increased factor VIII levels, and for the deficiency of protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and antithrombin. When APCR was detected in patients or in controls, factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation was also tested. Seventeen of 30 patients (56.6%) had at least one thrombophilia marker compared with only 5 of 33 control subjects (15.1%). Three children with ischemic stroke (10%) were affected with a combination of two or more thrombophilia markers whereas none of the children in the control group had a combination of risk factors. Seven of 30 children with ischemic stroke (23.3%) and one of 33 control subjects (3.03%) had APC resistance and in all of them FVL mutation were found. The prevalence of FVL mutation was higher among pediatric stroke patients than among control subjects (p < 0.05). None of the patients but one child from the control group (3.03%) had PS deficiency. Antithrombin and PC deficiencies and the presence of APLA and increased factor VIII levels were more frequent in the pediatric stroke patients than in controls but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). These data confirm that stroke in children is commonly associated with a combination of multiple risk factors and especially the prevalence of FVL mutation is increased in children with ischemic stroke compared with control subjects.