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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Quality of life after paediatric ischaemic stroke
Salome Kornfeld1,2, Martina Studer1,2, Stephanie Winkelbeiner1
1University Children's Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Insights
Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke significantly impacts children's quality of life (QoL). Motor and neurological impairments, along with attention deficits, are key predictors of reduced QoL in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) can lead to long-term reduced quality of life (QoL).
- Identifying predictors of QoL is crucial for effective recovery support in children post-AIS.
- Understanding factors influencing QoL is essential for improving outcomes in pediatric stroke survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine long-term quality of life (QoL) in children following arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).
- To identify specific variables that predict QoL outcomes in pediatric stroke survivors.
- To correlate demographic, clinical, and functional factors with QoL measures post-AIS.
Main Methods:
- Children from the Swiss Neuropediatric Stroke Registry (2000-2008) with AIS were assessed.
- Assessments included intelligence quotient (IQ), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Kidscreen-27 (QoL), attention deficit screening, and ABILHAND-Kids (motor skills).
- Correlations were performed between age at stroke, sex, socioeconomic status, lesion characteristics, neuropsychological/motor outcomes, and QoL.
Main Results:
- Manual motor impairment (p=0.002) and mRS scores (p=0.013) were the strongest predictors of QoL.
- Below-average IQ and attention deficits partially influenced QoL.
- Combined motor, cognitive, and attention impairments significantly negatively affected QoL (p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Neurological and cognitive impairments are significant negative influences on QoL after pediatric AIS.
- Children experiencing motor, neurological, or combined impairments face a higher risk of diminished QoL.
- Targeting motor and cognitive rehabilitation is vital for enhancing QoL in pediatric stroke survivors.
Aim:
Paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke can lead to reduced quality of life (QoL). It is important to identify predictors of QoL to support recovery. We examined long-term QoL after arterial ischaemic stroke concerning different variables.
Method:
Children registered in the Swiss Neuropediatric Stroke Registry and suffering from arterial ischaemic stroke between 2000 and 2008 were included. Two years post-stroke, assessments included intelligence quotient tests for cognitive impairment and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for neurological impairment; 5 years post-stroke, the Kidscreen-27 was used for QoL, DSM-IV criteria screening was used for attention deficits, and the ABILHAND-Kids was used for manual motor skills. Age at stroke, sex, socioeconomic status, lesion characteristics, neuropsychological and motor outcome, and mRS were correlated with QoL measures.
Results:
Seventy children were examined (49 males, 21 females; mean age 7y 2wks). Age at stroke, sex, socioeconomic status, and lesion characteristics did not influence QoL; IQ below average and attention deficits partially influenced QoL. The highest predictive value for QoL was found for manual motor impairment (p=0.002) and mRS scores (p=0.013). Combined motor, cognitive, and attention impairment negatively affected QoL (p=0.001).
Interpretation:
Neurological and cognitive impairments after paediatric arterial ischaemic stroke negatively influence QoL. Children with motor and neurological problems, as well as those with combined motor, cognitive, and attention problems, are at higher risk for low QoL.
