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Updated: May 16, 2026

Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats
Published on: April 21, 2017
Basilar artery stroke in childhood
Barbara Goeggel Simonetti1, Barbara Ritter, Matthias Gautschi
1Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. barbara.goeggel-simonetti@insel.ch
Basilar artery stroke (BAS) in children is rare, with an incidence of 0.037 per 100,000 children annually. Despite diagnostic delays, outcomes are more favorable than in adults, especially with a lower PedNIHSS score.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Basilar artery stroke (BAS) is poorly understood in pediatric populations.
- This study aims to elucidate the characteristics and outcomes of childhood BAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of BAS in children.
- To analyze clinical presentation, risk factors, radiological findings, and treatment approaches.
- To evaluate outcomes and identify prognostic factors for childhood BAS.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, population-based study of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke cases.
- Systematic literature review to identify additional childhood BAS cases.
- Analysis of incidence, clinical features, etiology, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- The incidence of BAS in children was found to be 0.037 per 100,000 children per year.
- Common symptoms included impaired consciousness, hemiparesis/quadriparesis, and bulbar dysfunction.
- A significant proportion of cases had vasculopathic etiology or unknown causes, with a median Pediatric National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score of 15.
- Good outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) were observed in 45 patients, while eight died. A PedNIHSS score of 17 or less was a prognostic factor for favorable outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Childhood BAS is a rare condition with a more favorable prognosis compared to adults.
- Delays in diagnosis and treatment are common but do not preclude better outcomes.
- Lower PedNIHSS scores (≤17) are associated with improved outcomes in pediatric BAS.
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