This infant is having a stroke: an illustrative case report

Hugh O'Reilly1, Michael Barrett2,3, Laura Melody2

  • 1Department of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland. hughloreilly@gmail.com.

Insights

Timely intervention for paediatric stroke is crucial. This case study highlights successful thrombolysis in an 8-month-old infant, demonstrating achievable outcomes with prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary care.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Paediatric stroke is a rare neurological emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent long-term disability.
  • Established reperfusion strategies like thrombolysis are available for children, but access is often delayed by diagnostic challenges.
  • Limited infrastructure and public awareness contribute to delayed diagnosis in paediatric stroke cases, unlike in adults.

Observation:

  • An 8-month-old infant presented with acute-onset left-sided hemiplegia, a critical symptom of paediatric stroke.
  • Rapid identification of stroke, timely neuroimaging, and multidisciplinary team involvement were key to the patient's management.
  • The infant received thrombolysis in a paediatric intensive care unit following prompt diagnosis.

Findings:

  • The infant received timely thrombolysis, a crucial reperfusion therapy for acute ischaemic stroke.
  • Despite a minor speech delay, the infant demonstrated positive recovery with normal gross motor function.
  • This case illustrates the successful application of advanced stroke treatments in a paediatric patient within an Irish healthcare setting.

Implications:

  • Equitable access to paediatric stroke care necessitates a national strategy due to the condition's rarity.
  • Early diagnosis and prompt intervention, including reperfusion therapies, are vital for improving outcomes in paediatric stroke.
  • This case underscores the potential for successful paediatric stroke management with coordinated multidisciplinary care and timely interventions.
Abstract

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