title: Etiological profile of stroke and its relation with prothrombotic states.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the etiological profile of childhood stroke and its relation with prothrombotic states.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with acute stroke with no evidence of CNS infection or head injury were studied. Stroke was confirmed by CT scan and further evaluated by MRI. Cardiac status was assessed with transthoracic echocardiography. Test for hypercoagulable state (antithrombin III, protein C, protein S, anticardiolipin antibody IgG and IgM and lupus anticoagulant) were done in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 66 children were enrolled--36 cases and 30 controls. Presenting symptoms were motor deficit (72%), seizure (66%), altered sensorium (36%), aphasia (27%). Causes identified were antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (25%), Moya Moya disease (16.6%), cardiac disease (11.1%), vasculitis (5.5%), ATIII deficiency (5.5%), Protein C deficiency (2.7%). Etiology remained unknown in 25% of cases with infarction. Hemorrhage was seen in 8.2% of cases and they had DIC or liver disease as the underlying cause.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic Resonance Angiography and ELISA for antiphospholipid antibody should be done in all patients with stroke without an obvious cause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi, India. sachinmakhija25573@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makhija
authors.forename: Satinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aneja
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Shashi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narayan