Child Neurology: Childhood basilar artery occlusion and stroke

Stroke is one of the major causes of childhood mortality. Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) has an annual estimated rate as high as 3.3 cases per 100,000 children (with the vertebrobasilar territory involved in up to 36% of cases); however, the incidence of isolated childhood basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and stroke (BAS) is unknown.1 Adult BAO carries up to a 90% mortality rate, while death or severe neurologic deficits may be seen in 50% of children with BAO/BAS.1,2 The following case report describes a 12-year-old boy with BAO leading to BAS. Clinical symptoms, differential diagnoses, associated comorbidities, and current trends in acute treatment of pediatric BAO/BAS are also discussed.
Source: Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Childhood stroke, Stroke in young adults, All Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke, Pediatric stroke; see Cerebrovascular Disease/ Childhood stroke RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research