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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Stroke in children
Eduardo Mekitarian Filho1, Werther Brunow de Carvalho
1Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. emf2002@uol.com.br
Insights
Pediatric stroke is rare but serious, often linked to underlying conditions. Early diagnosis and supportive care are crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life in children with stroke.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neonatal Neurology
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
Background:
- Pediatric stroke, though uncommon, presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
- Understanding risk factors and pathophysiology is key to addressing childhood stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review definitions, epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of stroke in children.
- To highlight current recommendations for stroke care in pediatric and neonatal populations.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of PubMed, EMBASE, and SciELO databases.
- Inclusion of relevant references from identified studies on pediatric and neonatal stroke.
Main Results:
- Pediatric stroke incidence is 2-8 per 100,000 children, often associated with heart disease, prothrombotic conditions, sickle cell disease, or vascular malformations.
- No specific guidelines exist; management focuses on supportive care, monitoring, and anticoagulation for secondary prevention.
- Prognosis varies with brain damage extent and underlying disease; recurrence rates are notably high.
Conclusions:
- Early stroke diagnosis in children is critical to prevent long-term sequelae.
- Pediatricians must recognize non-specific symptoms to ensure timely intervention and enhance patient quality of life.
Objectives:
To summarize 1) the definitions and epidemiological features of stroke in children; 2) the main risk factors that can lead to stroke in pediatrics and neonatology; 3) the main pathophysiological features involved in the genesis of brain injury in stroke; 4) the clinical manifestations and imaging diagnosis; and 5) the latest recommendations concerning the support measures, treatment, and prophylaxis of stroke in children.
Sources:
A review of the literature published in PubMed, EMBASE, and SciELO databases using the search terms stroke, pediatrics, and neonatology was performed, including relevant references from the chosen texts.
Summary Of The Findings:
Stroke in children are rare conditions, with incidence rates among two and eight per 100,000 children up to 14 years, and most cases show an underlying disease such as heart diseases, prothrombotic conditions, sickle-cell disease, and vascular malformations. There are no specific guidelines currently in place for the treatment of stroke in children, although central elements include support treatment, monitoring, and anticoagulation as secondary prevention in certain cases. Prognosis depends on the extent of brain damage and the underlying disease but recurrence rates are high in most cases.
Conclusions:
Early diagnosis of stroke in children is very important and pediatricians should be aware of the lack of specificity of the symptoms to avoid late sequelae and improve life quality.
Related Concept Videos
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Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction

