Aetiology-risk factor and disability assessment in children with stroke presented to Stroke Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka

Authors

  • D.S. Wijesekara Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
  • P.S. Gunaratne Stroke Unit, The National Hospital of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Aetiology for stroke in children may vary between different communities and geographical locations. The risk factors for stroke in children are numerous and differ greatly from adults; a thorough diagnostic evaluation can identify aetiology/risk factors in most patients. Further assessment of disability associated with such an event was not evaluated in many paediatric studies.

Objective: Evaluation of aetiology /risk factors and assessment of disability in children with stroke in Sri Lanka.

Method: The data of children aged 1 to 16 with stroke presented to stroke unit from January 2005 to June 2007 were analysed. Disability assessment was performed at the using the Barthel index for daily activities.

Results: There were 30 patients with an age range of 1-16years (mean age 8.5 years). Boys 53%. There were 25 (83%) ischaemic and 5(17%) intracerebral haemorrhages. Possible aetiology was detected in 25(83%). Of the intracranial haemorrhages two presented with AVM’s and one each with haemophilia, low platelets and trauma. Commensest cause for stroke was cardioembolic (20%) followed by unknown causes (17%). Extra cranial carotid dissections, infective/inflammatory causes and Moya moya disease accounted for 7% each. Following snakebite one child had a stroke. Barthel index calculated at the onset of the event ranged between 3-15, while on follow up at 6 months it improved to 14-20.

Conclusions: Ischemic stroke is the commonest cause for paediatric stroke in the present series, an aetiology for ischemia was detected in 83%. Cardioembolic was the commonest cause identified. In 17% of patients no cause was identified despite extensive investigations. Disability assessment revealed that most children had an improvement in their daily activity scores over time.

Author Biographies

D.S. Wijesekara, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

P.S. Gunaratne, Stroke Unit, The National Hospital of Sri Lanka

Stroke Unit, The National Hospital of Sri Lanka

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Published

2015-06-11