A pictorial review of imaging in paediatric stroke
Christopher Johns1, S Kolla1, A Hart2
1Radiology Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield, UK.
Insights
Pediatric stroke, though less understood than adult stroke, is a significant cause of death in children. This guide explores pediatric stroke causes, highlighting key imaging differences compared to adult strokes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Stroke is a major health concern in adults, but pediatric stroke is less understood.
- Pediatric stroke affects 5 per 100,000 children, ranking among the top 10 causes of childhood death.
- Neonatal stroke incidence is higher (up to 45 per 100,000), with poorly understood causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a guide to the various causes of pediatric stroke.
- To elucidate the key differences in imaging findings between pediatric and adult stroke.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pediatric stroke.
- Analysis of imaging characteristics in pediatric stroke cases.
- Comparison of pediatric stroke etiology and presentation with adult stroke.
Main Results:
- Ischemic strokes dominate adult cases, while hemorrhagic strokes constitute half of pediatric strokes.
- Significant differences exist in the underlying causes and imaging presentations of pediatric versus adult strokes.
- Neonatal stroke has a higher incidence and less understood etiology.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the distinct causes and imaging features of pediatric stroke is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes of neonatal stroke.
- This review highlights critical differences to aid clinicians in identifying and treating pediatric stroke.
Abstract:
Stroke is recognised as an important disease in adults. Paediatric stroke is less understood, yet still an important cause of morbidity and mortality, with an incidence of 5 per 100 000 children and is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in children. In adults the vast majority of strokes are ischaemic, whereas in children haemorrhage makes up half the cases. The incidence of neonatal stroke is much higher, at up to 45 per 100 000 population; however, the underlying causes are less understood. This paper acts as a guide to the different causes of stroke with the key differences on imaging discussed.
