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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
The vascular effects of infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) Study
Heather J Fullerton1, Mitchell S V Elkind, A James Barkovich
1Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94143-0114, USA.
Insights
Infection may cause childhood arterial ischemic stroke through vascular injury. Arteriopathy and inflammation markers may predict recurrent stroke in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Stroke
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) necessitates understanding underlying mechanisms for effective secondary prevention.
- The role of infection in pediatric AIS and its association with vascular injury requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that infection contributes to childhood AIS via vascular injury.
- To determine if arteriopathy and inflammatory markers predict recurrent stroke in children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of 480 children (1 month to 18 years) with AIS.
- Collection of infectious histories, biological samples (blood, serum, CSF), and neurovascular imaging.
- Laboratory analysis of serologies, herpesviruses, and inflammatory markers, with 1-year follow-up for recurrent events.
Main Results:
- Analysis will correlate infection markers with cerebral arteriopathy.
- Assessment of the predictive value of arteriopathy and inflammatory markers for recurrent stroke.
Conclusions:
- Findings will clarify the link between infection and pediatric stroke pathophysiology.
- This research aims to inform secondary stroke prevention strategies in children.
Abstract:
Understanding the vascular injury pathway is crucial to developing rational strategies for secondary stroke prevention in children. The multicenter Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) cohort study will test the hypotheses that (1) infection can lead to childhood arterial ischemic stroke by causing vascular injury and (2) resultant arteriopathy and inflammatory markers predict recurrent stroke. The authors are prospectively enrolling 480 children (aged 1 month through 18 years) with arterial ischemic stroke and collecting extensive infectious histories, blood and serum samples (and cerebrospinal fluid, when clinically obtained), and standardized brain and cerebrovascular imaging studies. Laboratory assays include serologies (acute and convalescent) and molecular assays for herpesviruses and levels of inflammatory markers. Participants are followed prospectively for recurrent ischemic events (minimum of 1 year). The analyses will measure association between markers of infection and cerebral arteriopathy and will assess whether cerebral arteriopathy and inflammatory markers predict recurrent stroke.
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