title: Functional outcome following paediatric stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paediatric stroke has a significant impact on functional ability; however, few studies describe outcomes using valid and reliable measures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe functional abilities of children following ischemic stroke using a validated outcome measure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen children who had sustained an ischemic stroke were recruited from the stroke service of a tertiary children's hospital. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used to describe functional abilities in domains of self-care, mobility and social function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All children demonstrated lower functional skills and required more caregiver assistance than would be expected for their age. These findings were seen across all functional areas; however, self-care was more affected than mobility and social functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEDI provides a useful measure of functional outcomes following paediatric stroke. Children in this study demonstrated reduced abilities across all domains. Further research to investigate the relationship between location of injury and functional outcome would assist understanding of paediatric stroke outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. jane.galvin@rch.org.au
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galvin
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hewish
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome