Long-Term Cognitive and Language Outcomes at the Age of Seven Following Arterial Presumed Perinatal Ischemic Stroke:...

The brain in healthy adults shows language localization in the left hemisphere, and the evidence from the literature supports neural plasticity after traumatic injuries. What happens if an injury occurs early in brain development? How does early unilateral brain damage affect a child's ability to acquire language? Evidence regarding language development after early unilateral brain damage is mixed. Therefore, this case report aims to present the language and cognitive status at the age of seven in a child who suffered a left-sided arterial presumed perinatal ischemic stroke (APPIS), with reference to her MRI findings. As part of her ongoing rehabilitation, she has received continuous speech therapy since age four and physiotherapy since six months of age. The current evaluation provides insights into long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes following early brain injury, highlighting the variability in clinical outcomes and considering the potential for functional restitution.