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Treves B, Sonnini E, La Russa R, Del Duca F, Ghamlouch A, De Matteis A, Trignano C, Marchal JA, Carrillo E, Napoletano G, Maiese A. Can Hemorrhagic Stroke Genetics Help Forensic Diagnosis in Pediatric Age (<5 Years Old)? Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:618. [PMID: 38790247 PMCID: PMC11120992 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
When stroke occurs in pediatric age, it might be mistakenly interpreted as non-accidental head injury (NAHI). In these situations, a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental, including a thorough personal and familial history, along with accurate physical examination and additional investigations. Especially when the clinical picture is uncertain, it is important to remember that certain genetic conditions can cause bleeding inside the brain, which may resemble NAHI. Pediatric strokes occurring around the time of birth can also be an initial sign of undiagnosed genetic disorders. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation, including genetic testing, when there is a suspicion of NAHI but the symptoms are unclear. In these cases, a characteristic set of symptoms is often observed. This study aims to summarize some of the genetic causes of hemorrhagic stroke in the pediatric population, thus mimicking non-accidental head injury, considering elements that can be useful in characterizing pathologies. A systematic review of genetic disorders that may cause ICH in children was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review (PRISMA) standards. We selected 10 articles regarding the main genetic diseases in stroke; we additionally selected 11 papers concerning patients with pediatric stroke and genetic diseases, or studies outlining the characteristics of stroke in these patients. The disorders we identified were Moyamoya disease (MMD), COL4A1, COL4A2 pathogenic variant, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (E-D), neurofibromatosis type 1 (Nf1), sickle cell disease (SCD), cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and Marfan syndrome. In conclusion, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic disorders that could be tested in children when there is a suspicion of NAHI but an unclear picture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biancamaria Treves
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (B.T.); (F.D.D.); (A.G.); (A.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Elena Sonnini
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Medicina Genomica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Public Health, Life Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Duca
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (B.T.); (F.D.D.); (A.G.); (A.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Alessandro Ghamlouch
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (B.T.); (F.D.D.); (A.G.); (A.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Alessandra De Matteis
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (B.T.); (F.D.D.); (A.G.); (A.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Claudia Trignano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43c, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (J.A.M.); (E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Esmeralda Carrillo
- Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain; (J.A.M.); (E.C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Gabriele Napoletano
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (B.T.); (F.D.D.); (A.G.); (A.D.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Aniello Maiese
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Tian X, Li J. An early diagnosed cerebral small vessel disease in a 12-year-old girl. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24756. [PMID: 38298677 PMCID: PMC10828062 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a leading cause of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke and a major contributor to dementia. It occurs mostly in adult patients, rarely in children. COL4A1 is a candidate gene in monogenic CSVD with a wide clinical and neuroimaing spectrum. Here we presented a 12-year-old girl with recurrent dizziness, mild learning difficulties and inability to concentrate, the brain MRI showed diffuse periventricular leukoencephalopathy, lacunes in bilateral centrum semiovale, periventricles and basal ganglia, dilated perivascular spaces in bilateral basal ganglia with brain MRA and MRV were normal, highly mimicked the neuroimaging of CSVD regardless of the young age and no episodes of cerebrovascular events for now. We found no vascular risk factors and excluded other diseases such as primary angitis of central nervous system (PACNS). Then a trio-whole exome sequencing was performed. We found a de novo variant of COL4A1 gene c.2662G>A (p.Gly888Arg). She was finally diagnosed as a MRI-defined covert CSVD case. Though there are no specific treatments, with the very early diagnosis in our patient, excessive physical activity, trauma, anticoagulant therapy should be avoided for possible strokes in her future life. Therefore, genetic screening should be considered in familial cases and also in sporadic cases even in pediatric patients when the brain MRI showed diffuse periventricular leukoencephalopathy, dilated perivascular spaces, as well as microhemorrhage, and deep intracerebral hemorrhages, associated with early onset ischemic strokes or not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Tian
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, 100045, China
| | - Jiuwei Li
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, 100045, China
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Ostrem BEL, Godfrey D, Caruso PA, Musolino PL. Monogenic Causes of Cerebrovascular Disease in Childhood: A Case Series. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 149:39-43. [PMID: 37776659 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.08.026] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite an increase in the number of genes associated with pediatric stroke, imaging phenotypes in children have not been well reported. Guidelines are needed to facilitate the identification and treatment of patients with monogenic causes of cerebrovascular disorders. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of imaging and medical records of patients aged zero to 21 years with monogenic causes of vascular malformations, small or large vessel disease, transient ischemic attacks, and/or ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. We classified patients according to their imaging phenotype and reviewed neurological and systemic features and management strategies. We reviewed the literature to identify genes associated with cerebrovascular disorders presenting in childhood. RESULTS We identified 18 patients with monogenic causes of cerebrovascular disorders and classified each patient as belonging to one or more of three cerebrovascular phenotypes according to predominant imaging characteristics: small vessel disease, large vessel disease, and/or vascular malformations. Preventative treatments included aspirin, N-acetylcysteine, tocilizumab, therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin, and resection of vascular malformations. CONCLUSIONS Classifying pediatric patients with cerebrovascular disorders by imaging phenotype can aid in determining the next steps in genetic testing and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget E L Ostrem
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Deena Godfrey
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paul A Caruso
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Lenox Hill Radiology and Medical Imaging Associates, New York, New York
| | - Patricia L Musolino
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Vasilescu DI, Rosoga AM, Vasilescu S, Dragomir I, Dima V, Dan AM, Cirstoiu MM. SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy Followed by Thalamic Neonatal Stroke-Case Report. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:958. [PMID: 37371190 DOI: 10.3390/children10060958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
A neonatal stroke is a cerebrovascular process caused by interruption of cerebral blood flow that occurs with an incidence between 1 per 1600 and 1 per 2660 live births. Relative higher incidence in the neonatal period compared to later childhood is favored by the hypercoagulability state of the mother, mechanical stress during delivery, transient right to left intracardiac shunt, high hematocrit, blood viscosity, and risk of dehydration during the first few days of life. The exact cause of a neonatal stroke remains unclear in many cases. About 80% of neonatal strokes are due to arterial ischemic events involving the middle cerebral artery. Typical clinical manifestations in a neonatal stroke are usually seizures that appear immediately after birth or after several days of life, but many of the cases may remain asymptomatic. We present the case of a late preterm infant diagnosed with a thalamic stroke on the fifth day of life with no clinical signs except for repeated episodes of apnea. The anamnesis and clinical context, in this case, revealed a SARS-CoV-2 infection in late pregnancy and early bacterial neonatal sepsis. Early identification of a perinatal stroke and increasing awareness of physicians about this condition in the neonatal period have paramount importance to reduce developmental postischemic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Iulia Vasilescu
- Doctoral School, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicineand Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Rosoga
- Department of Neonatology, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Vasilescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ion Dragomir
- Department of Neonatology, Marie Curie Children Hospital, 041451 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vlad Dima
- Department of Neonatology, Filantropia Clinical Hospital, 011171 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adriana Mihaela Dan
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicineand Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Neonatology, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Monica Mihaela Cirstoiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicineand Pharmacy, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emergency University Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
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Guan D, Ji Y, Lu X, Feng W, Ma W. Associations of MTHFR gene polymorphism with lipid metabolism and risk of cerebral infarction in the Northwest Han Chinese population. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1152351. [PMID: 37064173 PMCID: PMC10102478 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1152351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveGenetic variation in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene may contribute to the development of cerebral infarction (CI); however, results have been inconsistent across studies with different populations, including studies of the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of MTHFR gene polymorphism on serum lipid and homocysteine levels among patients with CI in the Northwest Chinese Han population.Patients and methodsA total of 521 CI patients and 524 non-CI controls were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction and hybridization were utilized to identify MTHFR gene polymorphisms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations of MTHFR gene polymorphism with risk of CI.ResultsFrequencies of the TT genotype and the T allele were markedly higher among CI patients than among controls. After stratifying our data by sex and age, we determined that these differences in frequency of the TT genotype and the T allele were statistically significant among participants of two different age brackets and among men, but not among women (i.e., there were no statistically significant differences between female patients and female controls). CI patients and control participants with the CT or TT genotype had significantly higher homocysteine (Hcy) levels than those with the CC genotype. Among CI patients, CT/TT carriers showed significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) levels as compared with CC carriers, but there was no significant difference for control participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that drinking; smoking; diabetes mellitus; levels of Hcy, direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IB), ApoA-I, and total protein (TP); and TT genotype were significant independent risk factors for CI.ConclusionsThe results suggested that the TT genotype of the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism, which is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), might be of great clinical significance in the identification of new biomarkers for CI and in the development of individualized preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Guan
- Department of Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yichun Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoyun Lu
- Department of Biological Science and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weiyi Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbing Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Biological Science and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Wenbing Ma
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Roy B, Webb A, Walker K, Morgan C, Badawi N, Nunez C, Eslick G, Kent AL, Hunt RW, Mackay MT, Novak I. Prevalence & Risk Factors for Perinatal Stroke: A Population-Based Study. Child Neurol Open 2023; 10:2329048X231217691. [PMID: 38116020 PMCID: PMC10729630 DOI: 10.1177/2329048x231217691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The study objective was to calculate the birth prevalence of perinatal stroke and examine risk factors in term infants. Some risk factors are present in healthy infants, making it difficult to determine at-risk infants. Study Design Prospective population-based perinatal stroke data were compared to the Australian general population data using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Sixty perinatal stroke cases were reported between 2017 and 2019. Estimated stroke prevalence was 9.6/100,000 live births/year including 5.8 for neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and 2.9 for neonatal hemorrhagic stroke. Eighty seven percent had multiple risk factors. Significant risk factors were cesarean section (p = 0.04), 5-min Apgar score <7 (p < 0.01), neonatal resuscitation (p < 0.01) and nulliparity (p < 0.01). Conclusions Statistically significant independent risk factors do not fully explain the cause of perinatal stroke, because they are not a direct causal pathway to stroke. These data now require validation in a case-control study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bithi Roy
- The University of Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annabel Webb
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Karen Walker
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- RPA Newborn Care, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Morgan
- The University of Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, Australia
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nadia Badawi
- The University of Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney, Australia
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carlos Nunez
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Sydney, Australia
| | - Guy Eslick
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alison L Kent
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- Australian National University College of Health and Medicine, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Rod W Hunt
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Dept of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Newborn, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark T Mackay
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- Neuroscience Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Iona Novak
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Tan MA, Layug EJV, Singh BP, Parakh M. Diagnosis of Pediatric Stroke in Resource Limited Settings. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2022; 44:100997. [PMID: 36456040 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2022.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Global awareness of stroke as a significant cause of neurologic sequelae and death in children has increased over the years as more data in this field becomes available. However, most published literature on pediatric stroke have limited geographic representation. Data on childhood stroke from developing countries remains limited. Thus, this paper reviewed geographic/ethnic differences in pediatric stroke risk factors highlighting those reported in low- and middle-income countries, and proposes a childhood arterial ischemic stroke diagnostic algorithm for resource limited settings. Stroke risk factors include cardiac disorders, infectious diseases, cerebral arteriopathies, hematologic disorders, inflammatory diseases, thrombophilia and genetic conditions. Infection of the central nervous system particularly tuberculous meningitis, is a leading cause of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke in developing countries. Stroke should be considered in children with acute focal neurologic deficit especially in the presence of aforementioned risk factors. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging with angiography is the neuroimaging modality of choice but if unavailable, cranial computed tomography with angiography may be performed as an alternative. If both are not available, transcranial doppler together with neurologic exam may be used to screen children for arterial ischemic stroke. Etiological diagnosis follows with the aid of appropriate laboratory tests that are available in each level of care. International collaborative research on stroke risk factors that are prevalent in low and middle income countries will provide information for drafting of stroke care guidelines that are universal yet inclusive taking into consideration regional differences in available resources with the goal of reducing global stroke burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn A Tan
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines.
| | - Elbert John V Layug
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosciences, University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines
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