Current Concepts in Pediatric Stroke

Stroke is a relatively rare but rather significant cause of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality in children. It can be divided into three categories: arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), hemorrhagic stroke (HS) and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT). This review focuses on AIS. The etiologies of pediatric AIS are diverse and different from those in adult stroke, chief among these being congenital heart disease, vasculopathies, hematological disorders and prothrombotic states. Additional factors might be related to the age group, ethnicity and geographic factors. Early recognition enables initiation of prompt therapy thereby reducing risk of further recurrence and complications.