Pediatric Stroke Rates Over 17 Years: Report From a Population-Based Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Pediatric stroke incidence and trends are crucial for understanding childhood neurological emergencies.
• Previous studies established baseline pediatric stroke rates in the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky (GCNK) region for 1993-1994 and 1999.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine population-based pediatric stroke rates for additional years (2005 and 2010).
• To assess if pediatric stroke rates have changed over a 17-year period in the GCNK region.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the population-based Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study (GCNK) database.
• Identified pediatric stroke cases (<20 years) using ICD-9 codes and physician verification for study periods: July 1993-June 1994, 1999, 2005, and 2010.
• Calculated stroke rates stratified by age, race, and study period.

Main Results:

• The overall pediatric stroke rate was consistently 4.4 per 100,000 population across the study periods.
• No significant change in pediatric stroke rates was observed over the 17-year study duration.
• The 30-day all-cause case fatality rate was 15.7%, with hemorrhagic stroke being the most common type.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric stroke incidence in the GCNK region has remained stable over nearly two decades.
• Continued surveillance is essential to monitor pediatric stroke trends and inform public health strategies.
• Hemorrhagic strokes represent a significant proportion of pediatric stroke cases, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and treatment research.