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Published on: April 21, 2017
Strokes in children: a systematic review
Lindsey Barst Gumer1, Michael Del Vecchio, Stephen Aronoff
1From the *Children's Hospital at Montefiore, New York, NY and †Department of Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.
Insights
Pediatric strokes cause significant harm, and this systematic review identifies varied causes. A new diagnostic guide is presented for evaluating childhood stroke in emergency settings.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Systematic Review
Background:
- Pediatric strokes result in substantial morbidity and mortality.
- A systematic review is needed to guide the initial diagnostic approach for pediatric stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current data on the etiologies of stroke in children.
- To develop an initial diagnostic evaluation for pediatric stroke patients in the emergency department.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE.
- Inclusion criteria focused on studies with extractable data on first strokes in pediatric patients.
- Data extraction included demographics and stroke etiologies.
Main Results:
- Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria.
- Data from 1455 children (21 days to 20 years) were analyzed.
- Etiologies of pediatric stroke were assessed.
Conclusions:
- Stroke etiologies in children are diverse and differ between ischemic and hemorrhagic types.
- A guide for the initial evaluation of pediatric stroke is provided based on this review.
Context:
Pediatric strokes lead to significant morbidity and mortality. To date, no systematic review has been available to guide the initial diagnostic approach to pediatric stroke.
Objective:
The objective of this review was to elucidate the current data regarding etiologies of stroke in children and then develop an initial diagnostic evaluation for the pediatric patient presenting to the emergency department with a stroke.
Data Source:
Using the PubMed engine, the MEDLINE database was searched using the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Study Selection:
The inclusion and exclusion criteria were established a priori. Studies must have extractable data regarding first strokes in pediatric patients with clear diagnostic categories.
Data Extraction:
A standardized tool was developed to extract demographic data and stroke etiologies.
Results:
Twelve studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. From these studies, a total of 1455 children aged between 21 days and 20 years were available to assess the etiologies of stroke.
Conclusions:
In pediatric patients, the etiologies of stroke are varied and differ for children with ischemic stroke versus hemorrhagic stroke. With the present systematic review, a guide to the initial evaluation of stroke is presented.
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