Emergency department presentation of pediatric stroke.
Pediatric stroke is not a common occurrence. When compared with adults, the pediatric population has a much more diverse group of risk factors, and while numerous rare congenital disorders are possible, most known etiologies are cardiac, vascular, or hematologic. The emergency department (ED) presentation of pediatric stroke does not differ greatly from that of adults, although posterior circulation ischemia is less common, and neurologic findings may be more difficult to recognize. ED treatment is also largely the same, with an attention to resuscitation and avoidance of hypoxia, hypotension, hyperthermia, and changes in blood sugar. Use of specialized agents such as aspirin and heparin should be considered in certain cases. It is important for the emergency physician to recognize acute neurologic events in pediatric patients to minimize complications.
Calder
Kirsten
K
Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. kcalder@usc.edu
Kokorowski
Paul
P
Tran
Tuyet
T
Henderson
Sean
S
D000293:Adolescent; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy