Childhood stroke in Sweden I: incidence, symptoms, risk factors and short-term outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence, presenting symptoms, diagnostic delay, risk factors and short-term outcome of childhood stroke in a population-based cohort of Swedish children.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the records of children experiencing their first stroke during a 7-year period in Uppsala-Örebro Health Care Region covering one-fifth of the Swedish population. Arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS), cerebral sinus venous stroke and nontraumatic haemorrhagic stroke (HS) in children aged > 28 days and < 18 years were included.


RESULTS
We identified 51 children (23 boys and 28 girls; median age 13). The average annual incidence of stroke was 1.8 per 100,000 children. AIS was found in 51% of the children, HS in 41% and cerebral sinus venous stroke in 8%. One-third of the children had underlying diseases, and one-third had vascular malformations. Six girls used oral contraceptives, three of these were smokers and two had iron deficiency anaemia. Two children died in the acute stage (4%), and 40/49 (82%) had some neurological dysfunction at discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of childhood stroke was 1.8 per 100,000 children and year, and the primary mortality was 4%. Risk factors of importance were oral contraceptives, smoking and anaemia in combinations.
Christerson
S
S
Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Paediatric Clinic, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. sten.christerson@orebroll.se
Strömberg
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral