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Oesch G, Münger R, Steinlin M. Be aware of childhood stroke: Proceedings from EPNS Webinar. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2024; 49:82-94. [PMID: 38447504 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Oesch
- Division of Neuropaediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robin Münger
- Division of Neuropaediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maja Steinlin
- Division of Neuropaediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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Phelps K, Silos C, De La Torre S, Moreno A, Lapus R, Sanghani N, Koenig M, Savitz S, Green C, Fraser S. Establishing a pediatric acute stroke protocol: experience of a new pediatric stroke program and predictors of acute stroke. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1194990. [PMID: 37273694 PMCID: PMC10232855 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1194990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pediatric stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in pediatrics. Rapid recognition and treatment can improve outcomes in select patients, as evidenced by recent retrospective studies in pediatric thrombectomy. We established a collaborative protocol involving the vascular neurology and pediatric neurology division in our institution to rapidly diagnose and treat pediatric suspected stroke. We also prospectively collected data to attempt to identify predictors of acute stroke in pediatric patients. Methods IRB approval was obtained to prospectively collect clinical data on pediatric code stroke activations based on timing metrics in resident-physician note templates. The protocol emphasized magnetic resonance imaging over computed tomography imaging when possible. We analyzed performance of the system with descriptive statistics. We then performed a Bayesian statistical analysis to search for predictors of pediatric stroke. Results There were 40 pediatric code strokes over the 2.5-year study period with a median age of 10.8 years old. 12 (30%) of patients had stroke, and 28 (70%) of code stroke patients were diagnosed with a stroke mimic. Median time from code stroke activation to completion of imaging confirming or ruling out stroke was 1 h. In the Bayesian analysis, altered mental status, hemiparesis, and vasculopathy history were associated with increased odds of stroke, though credible intervals were wide due to the small sample size. Conclusion A trainee developed and initiated pediatric acute stroke protocol quickly implemented a hospital wide change in management that led to rapid diagnosis and triage of pediatric stroke and suspected stroke. No additional personnel or resources were needed for this change, and we encourage other hospitals and emergency departments to implement similar systems. Additionally, hemiparesis and altered mental status were predictors of stroke for pediatric acute stroke activation in our Bayesian statistical analysis. However credible intervals were wide due to the small sample size. Further multicenter data collection could more definitively analyze predictors of stroke, as well as the help in the creation of diagnostic tools for clinicians in the emergency setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Phelps
- University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Christin Silos
- School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- The UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Susan De La Torre
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Amee Moreno
- Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Robert Lapus
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Nipa Sanghani
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Mary Koenig
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sean Savitz
- The UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Charles Green
- The UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stuart Fraser
- The UTHealth Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, United States
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Yu CY, Guilliams KP, Panagos PD, Kansagra AP. Pediatric hospital proximity to endovascular thrombectomy centers in the United States. Interv Neuroradiol 2022; 28:682-686. [PMID: 34913385 PMCID: PMC9706276 DOI: 10.1177/15910199211059334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Y Yu
- Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kristin P Guilliams
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Peter D Panagos
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Akash P Kansagra
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of
Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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4
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Acute Hospital Management of Pediatric Stroke. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2022; 43:100990. [PMID: 36344020 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2022.100990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of pediatric stroke has historically been hampered by limited evidence and small patient cohorts. However the landscape of childhood stroke is rapidly changing due in part to increasing awareness of the importance of pediatric stroke and the emergence of dedicated pediatric stroke centers, care pathways, and alert systems. Acute pediatric stroke management hinges on timely diagnosis confirmed by neuroimaging, appropriate consideration of recanalization therapies, implementation of neuroprotective measures, and attention to secondary prevention. Because pediatric stroke is highly heterogenous in etiology, management strategies must be individualized. Determining a child's underlying stroke etiology is essential to appropriately tailoring hyperacute stroke management and determining best approach to secondary prevention. Herein, we review the methods of recognition, diagnosis, management, current knowledge gaps and promising research for pediatric stroke.
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Harrar DB, Sun LR, Goss M, Pearl MS. Cerebral Digital Subtraction Angiography in Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage: Considerations in Critically Ill Children. J Child Neurol 2022; 37:693-701. [PMID: 35673704 DOI: 10.1177/08830738221106818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerebrovascular disorders are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Although minimally invasive, cerebral digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been shown to be safe in children and is a valuable, and perhaps underutilized, technique for the diagnosis and management of pediatric cerebrovascular disorders in the critical care setting. Through a case-based approach, we explore the utility of DSA in critically ill children with acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We discuss the use of DSA in the acute management of aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation rupture as well as cerebral vasospasm. Those caring for critically ill children with acute ICH should consider cerebral DSA as part of a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and management of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Harrar
- Division of Neurology, 8404Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - L R Sun
- Division of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Goss
- Division of Neurology, 72462Dell Children's Hospital, Austin, TX, USA
| | - M S Pearl
- Department of Radiology, 8404Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
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Byrne S, Ram D. Challenges of implementation of the RCPCH paediatric stroke guidelines (acute management component) and how they can be overcome. Arch Dis Child 2022; 107:635-636. [PMID: 35012935 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Byrne
- Future Neuro and Department of Paediatrics, RCSI, Dublin, Ireland .,Department of Neurology, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dipak Ram
- Paediatric Neurology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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7
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Harrar DB, Benedetti GM, Jayakar A, Carpenter JL, Mangum TK, Chung M, Appavu B. Pediatric Acute Stroke Protocols in the United States and Canada. J Pediatr 2022; 242:220-227.e7. [PMID: 34774972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe existing pediatric acute stroke protocols to better understand how pediatric centers might implement such pathways within the context of institution-specific structures. STUDY DESIGN We administered an Internet-based survey of pediatric stroke specialists. The survey included questions about hospital demographics, child neurology and pediatric stroke demographics, acute stroke response, imaging, and hyperacute treatment. RESULTS Forty-seven surveys were analyzed. Most respondents practiced at a large, freestanding children's hospital with a moderate-sized neurology department and at least 1 neurologist with expertise in pediatric stroke. Although there was variability in how the hospitals deployed stroke protocols, particularly in regard to staffing, the majority of institutions had an acute stroke pathway, and almost all included activation of a stroke alert page. Most institutions preferred magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over computed tomography (CT) and used abbreviated MRI protocols for acute stroke imaging. Most institutions also had either CT-based or magnetic resonance-based perfusion imaging available. At least 1 patient was treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) or mechanical thrombectomy at the majority of institutions during the year before our survey. CONCLUSIONS An acute stroke protocol is utilized in at least 41 pediatric centers in the US and Canada. Most acute stroke response teams are multidisciplinary, prefer abbreviated MRI over CT for diagnosis, and have experience providing IV-tPA and mechanical thrombectomy. Further studies are needed to standardize practices of pediatric acute stroke diagnosis and hyperacute management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana B Harrar
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital and Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Giulia M Benedetti
- Department of Neurology, Seattle Children's Hospital and University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Anuj Jayakar
- Department of Neurology, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL
| | - Jessica L Carpenter
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital and Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Tara K Mangum
- Department of Neurology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Melissa Chung
- Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Brian Appavu
- Department of Neurology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
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8
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Wilson JL, Dowling M, Fullerton HJ. Stroke in Children. Stroke 2021; 52:3388-3390. [PMID: 34470487 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.033967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wilson
- Pediatric Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland (J.L.W.)
| | - Michael Dowling
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (M.D.)
| | - Heather J Fullerton
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco (H.J.F.)
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