Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in childhood: clinical report from a single control center

Stroke is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain. It is the third cause of death in adults and one of the top 10 causes in pediatric age. The perinatal period of onset is the second only to adult age group in the incidence of stroke. Arterial ischemic stroke during childhood occurs most frequently in the perinatal period with an incidence of 1 out 2300-5000 live infant births.

This is a retrospective study that includes 28 patients affected by perinatal arterial ischemic stroke. Family and gestational history, risk factors of perinatal stroke, gender and clinical data of affected children and outcome are reported.

A stroke family history was registered in three unrelated families. Gestational history disclosed cases of threats of abortion, preterm delivery, hyperthermia, gestosis, and placental disorders. In the children, onset of seizures were reported within 3 days of life and diagnosis of stroke was confirmed by brain MRI which disclosed involvement of the middle cerebral artery in all the cases. Hemilateral cerebral palsy, epileptic seizures, and intellectual disability from mild to severe were the most frequent complications.

Stroke is still a common and dreadful events in perinatal period as this disorder is often unpredictable and cause of severe neurological impairment.