Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
Early Pathological and Magnetic Resonance Detection of Cerebral Injury Using a Rat Model of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Published on: October 28, 2022
The relationship between hematological parameters and prognosis of children with acute ischemic stroke
Ebru Yilmaz1, Ayse Bayram Kacar2, Adil Bozpolat1
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Erciyes University, 38039, Talas, Kayseri, Turkey.
Insights
Hematological parameters like white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can aid in early diagnosis of pediatric acute ischemic stroke. These markers, along with others, did not predict survival or long-term outcomes in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Hematology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute ischemic stroke is rare in children but a significant cause of mortality and morbidity.
- Current diagnostic methods for pediatric stroke prognosis lack noninvasive, inexpensive options.
- Limited research exists on the prognostic value of hematological parameters in pediatric acute ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hematological parameters and the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke in children.
- To identify potential inexpensive and noninvasive biomarkers for pediatric stroke prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 106 pediatric acute ischemic stroke patients (2000-2014).
- Comparison of hematological parameters (WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet counts, MPV, PDW, N/L ratio) with 106 healthy controls.
- Evaluation of hematological parameters' correlation with clinical follow-up, survival, and sequelae development.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) compared to controls.
- No significant differences in hematological parameters were found between patients with and without sequelae.
- Hematological parameters did not impact survival or disease-free survival in univariate Cox-regression analysis.
Conclusions:
- Elevated WBC and NLR may assist in the earlier diagnosis of pediatric acute ischemic stroke.
- Hematological parameters evaluated (WBC, platelet count, MPV, PDW, NLR) do not appear to be risk factors for overall survival, disease-free survival, or sequelae development in pediatric stroke.
Background:
Stroke is rarely seen in children, but it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, there is a need for inexpensive and noninvasive diagnostic methods for estimating the prognosis. Although the prognostic importance of hematological parameters in acute ischemic stroke were reported in adult studies, there is a lack in pediatric ages. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between hematological parameters and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke in children.
Methods:
Retrospectively scanned in the study were 106 pediatric patients with acute ischemic stroke who managed at the Medical Faculty of Erciyes University, Kayseri, between the years of 2000 and 2014. White blood count (WBC); neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet count; mean platelet volume (MPV); platelet distribution width (PDW); neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (N/L) ratio values obtained from the measurements and initial symptoms; demographical features; risk factors; neurological examination; and clinical follow-up were recorded. Their hematological parameters were compared with those of 106 age and sex-matched healthy individuals.
Results:
MPV and PDW values were found similar in patient and control groups, and the platelet count was found significantly low in the control group (p = 0,028). WBC, neutrophil count, and N/L ratio were found considerably high in the patient group (p < 0.001). Lymphocyte count, however, was found significantly low in the control group (p < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was detected in WBC, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, N/L ratio, and MPV and PDW values between the group with sequelae and the one without sequelae. In addition, it was determined that WBC, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, N/L ratio, and MPV and PDW values in the univariate Cox-regression analysis of the patient group had no effect on survival and disease-free survival. When receiver operating characteristic curve was applied, it was observed that the area below WBC, N/L ratio curve was important in the patient group in terms of predicting acute ischemic stroke.
Conclusion:
The values of WBC, neutrophil count, and N/L ratio differ significantly from those of the control group. The WBC and N/L ratio may help for an earlier diagnosis in children with acute ischemic stroke. WBC, thrombocyte count, MPV, PDW, and N/L ratio do not constitute a risk in overall survival, disease-free survival, and sequelae development.
