Long-term functional outcome of pediatric stroke survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the long-term functional, psychosocial, and medical outcome of pediatric stroke survivors.


METHODS
This was a descriptive survey performed on patients with childhood stroke who participated in an earlier study. Measures included the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) and the Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale. Current information on living situation, school placement, employment, and medical outcome were obtained.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (58%) patients participated. The mean age was 19.3 years (SD = 6.6), mean age of onset of stroke was 7.0 years (SD = 5.4), and mean follow-up time was 11.9 years (SD = 3.9). Diagnoses included hemorrhagic (31%) and ischemic (69%) stroke. All but one adult had finished high school, and the majority of participants had gone to college. 60% of patients over age 16 were employed. The average VABS levels for communication, daily living skills, socialization, and adaptive behavior fell into the moderately low range. Use of seizure medications and ADL dependence were the predictors for lower VABS levels (p <.05). Younger age, ischemic stroke, and previous dependence in mobility were risk factors for lower scores for the self-care domain, but not for lower life satisfaction. Patients who scored below adequate on VABS tended toward lower life satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric stroke survivors had good educational and mobility outcomes, but communication, ADL, and socialization fell into the low-moderate range. The different predictors of functional and subjective quality of life outcomes suggest that functional outcomes may mediate the relations between medical factors and satisfaction with life.
Hurvitz
Edward
E
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Warschausky
Seth
S
Berg
Michelle
M
Tsai
Shane
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004493:Education; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome