Delayed recognition of childhood arterial ischemic stroke

Be aware of childhood stroke: Proceedings from EPNS Webinar

Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) is a significant health concern with increasing incidence. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of childhood AIS. The incidence of childhood AIS is on the rise especially in developing countries, likely due to improved awareness and diagnostic capabilities. Aetiology of childhood AIS is multifactorial, with both modifiable risk factors and genetic predisposition playing important roles. Identifying and addressing these risk factors, such as infection, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart defects, is essential in prevention and management. Identifying underlying conditions through genetic testing is important for appropriate management and long-term prognosis. Clinically, distinguishing stroke from stroke mimics can be challenging. Awareness of important stroke mimics, including migraines, seizures, and metabolic disorders, is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment. The diagnostic approach to childhood AIS involves a comprehensive "chain of care," including initial assessment, neuroimaging, and laboratory investigations. National guidelines play a pivotal role in standardizing and streamlining the diagnostic process, ensuring prompt and accurate management. Early intervention is critical in the management of childhood AIS. Due to the critical time window, the question if mechanical thrombectomy is feasible and beneficial should be addressed as fast as possible. Early initiation of antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy and, in select cases, thrombolysis can help restore blood flow and minimize long-term neurological damage. Additionally, rehabilitation should start as soon as possible to optimize recovery and improve functional outcomes. In conclusion, childhood AIS is a growing concern. Understanding the increasing incidence, age distribution, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies is crucial for optimized management of these patients.

[Stroke in children and adolescents]

OBJECTIVE

A comparative analysis of symptoms in arterial ischemic and stroke-like conditions in children, the development and analysis of the «Presumptive stroke in children» scale for prehospital diagnosis of ischemic strokes in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This article analyzes cases of emergency hospitalization of children in a stroke center with suspected cerebrovascular pathology as well as the symptoms of patients with suspected ischemic stroke, compares the leading and final diagnoses, identifies the main «mimics» of stroke and their symptom complexes. A comparison of the obtained data with the results of previous studies was carried out.

RESULTS

The results show the prevalence of motor disorders and coordination disorders in cases of ischemic stroke and cerebral symptoms in cases of stroke-like conditions in children. The most frequent stroke-mimic is migraine. Based on the results of the study, we propose a screening scale for pre-hospital diagnosis of ischemic stroke in children. A preliminary assessment of the effectiveness of the scale using examples of cases of confirmed stroke and stroke-mimic was performed.

CONCLUSION

Timely hospitalization of children with stroke can not only reduce mortality, but also use modern diagnostic and treatment methods to reduce the volume of brain damage with a possible complete restoration of motor and cognitive functions. Further analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of the «Presumptive stroke in children» scale is required.

Paediatric ischaemic stroke is a valid diagnosis in the Swedish National Patient Register

AIM

The Swedish National Patient Register offers unique opportunities for epidemiological research of paediatric ischaemic stroke. We aimed to validate the diagnosis of paediatric ischaemic stroke in the National Patient Register to ensure the quality of future research.

METHODS

The PedStroke cohort consists of 1606 individuals aged <18 years with a diagnosis of paediatric ischaemic stroke (ICD-10: I63, I64; ICD-8 and 9: 433, 434, 436) in Swedish national health registers between 1969 and 2016. We selected 292 cases for validation by reviewing medical charts.

RESULTS

In all, 277 of the 292 medical charts were received, of which 273 had enough information to qualify for review. The diagnosis was correct in 242/273 cases, yielding a positive predictive value (PPV) of 89% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.92) for paediatric ischaemic stroke in the National Patient Register. After validation, seven cases of 222 with childhood stroke were re-categorised to perinatal stroke, resulting in a total of 56 perinatal stroke cases. In the Medical Birth Register, 38 stroke cases were identified of which 37 had correct diagnosis, generating a PPV of 97% (95% CI: 0.92-1.0). Incorrect diagnoses decreased over time and the number of diagnoses confirmed by radiology increased correspondingly.

CONCLUSION

The National Patient Register is reliable for epidemiological research of paediatric ischaemic stroke because of its high PPV for this diagnosis.