[Epidemiology of strokes in pediatry]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Vascular Neurology
• Public Health Epidemiology

Background:

• Perinatal arterial stroke is a significant concern, affecting newborns.
• Childhood stroke incidence requires further epidemiological understanding.
• Cerebral hemorrhage is a common stroke type in hospitalized children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of perinatal arterial stroke.
• To establish the incidence of stroke in older children (29 days to 18 years).
• To quantify the burden of childhood stroke in France, specifically focusing on stroke types.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective epidemiological analysis of stroke incidence in neonates and children.
• Data collection on hospitalizations for stroke in children.
• Classification of stroke types, including ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Main Results:

• Perinatal arterial stroke incidence ranges from 20 to 65 cases per 100,000 live births.
• Childhood stroke incidence (29 days to 18 years) is 1.3 to 4.3 per 100,000 per year.
• Approximately 450 children are hospitalized annually in France for stroke, with nearly half suffering intracerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal arterial stroke and childhood stroke represent significant pediatric health issues.
• Intracerebral hemorrhage is a predominant subtype of stroke in hospitalized children.
• These findings highlight the need for continued research and preventative strategies for pediatric stroke.