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Published on: April 21, 2017
Etiology and treatment of perinatal stroke; a role for prothrombotic coagulation factors?
M H Cnossen1, C H van Ommen, I M Appel
1Department of Pediatric Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.cnossen@erasmusmc.nl
Insights
Perinatal stroke detection is increasing. While prothrombotic factors are common, they likely play a minor role in perinatal stroke development.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
Background:
- Perinatal stroke detection is rising due to advanced imaging, increased neonatal survival, and heightened pediatrician awareness.
- Pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving maternal/neonatal risks and prothrombotic coagulation factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of prothrombotic risk factors in neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis.
- To evaluate the role of prothrombotic coagulation factors in perinatal stroke pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on prothrombotic risk factors in neonatal stroke.
- Analysis of the prevalence and potential impact of coagulation factors.
Main Results:
- Prothrombotic coagulation factors are identified in over half of perinatal stroke cases.
- Despite their prevalence, these factors appear to play a minor role in the condition's development.
Conclusions:
- Current therapeutic guidelines for perinatal stroke are largely based on expert opinion.
- Recommendations include heparin for specific stroke types and antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy for recurrent events.
Abstract:
The detection rate of perinatal stroke is rising due to improved neuroradiological imaging techniques, increased survival of neonates with severe underlying diseases and an increased awareness of the diagnosis by pediatricians. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and includes a large variety of maternal and neonatal risk factors as well as prothrombotic coagulation factors. Although the relative risk of prothrombotic coagulation factors is still unknown, testing is recommended to design large studies in the near future. This article is an overview of studies of prothrombotic risk factors in both neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. Although prothrombotic coagulation factors are present in more than half of the cases, we conclude that they most likely play a minor role in the pathogenesis of perinatal stroke. Current therapeutic guidelines focusing on thrombosis are based on expert opinion and recommend low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin for cardioembolic arterial ischemic stroke, antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy for recurrent arterial ischemic stroke, and low molecular weight heparin or unfractionated heparin for sinovenous thrombosis without hemorrhage and/or when extension of the thrombotic process occurs.
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