Acute lacunar infarct in an obese adolescent with obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic cerebrovascular accidents in adults. However, this association has not been well established in the pediatric population. We report a case of acute right internal capsule lacunar infarct manifesting as left-sided hemiplegia in an adolescent with severe obesity. Severe untreated obstructive sleep apnea was identified during the hospital stay. Positive airway pressure therapy, weight loss, and tonsillectomy eventually normalized sleep-disordered breathing. The patient recovered completely without any residual neurological deficits with multidisciplinary care. Lacunar infarcts due to hypertension-related cerebral vasculopathy are a well-known cause of stroke in adults. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea may cause hypertension and potentially predispose even the pediatric population to develop lacunar infarcts. Polysomnography needs to be considered as a part of the diagnostic algorithm in pediatric patients with stroke.

Chen B, Gorantla S, Shah V. Acute lacunar infarct in an obese adolescent with obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(8):1743-1747.