Abstract
Background
Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is an increasingly common disorder in childhood that
causes severe mortality and morbidity.
Objective
To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of AIS cases, as well
as the early initiation of physical therapy.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 23 patients aged 1 month to 18
years, who were admitted with acute neurological complaints and diagnosed radiologically
with AIS at the Bursa Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, a tertiary healthcare
facility, between January 2016 and June 2020.
Results
Neurological deficit was the most common (12 patients; 52%) complaint, followed by
seizure in 5 patients (21%), facial paralysis in 5 patients (21%), and visual impairment
in 3 patients (13%). We performed brain computed tomography (CT) scans in 12 (52%)
patients at the first application, and infarction was detected in 8 (66%). Infarction
was in the cerebrum in 19 (82%) patients. Mutations of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR; A1298C and 677C > T) gene were found most frequently. Cardiac anomalies were detected
in 7 (30%) patients, and 2 patients had ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
Conclusion
Arterial ischemic stroke presents very different clinical findings, such as hiccups,
anisocoria, and upward gaze paralysis. We wanted to emphasize the importance of cranial
CT scanning because sometimes MRI is not always easily performed in children. Concomitant
conditions, such as intracranial operation, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and hypochondroplasia,
may increase the risk of stroke.
Keywords
Cerebral Infarction - Magnetic Resonance Imaging - BE-FAST - Child
Bibliographical Record
Muharrem Bostancı, Arzu Ekici, Cengiz Havalı. Acute arterial ischemic stroke in children:
single-center experience. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2025; 83: s00451809661.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809661
