title: Outcomes following childhood arterial ischaemic stroke: a Delphi Consensus on what parents want from future research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently there are few population-based data on the outcomes of stroke in childhood, and no data on what parents want from such research. We conducted a Delphi Consensus Process among parents of children (n = 26) who had suffered an arterial ischaemic stroke to investigate which research outcomes they think are most important to follow up, and what methods of assessment they would find most acceptable.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postal Delphi Consensus Process was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Delphi panel reached consensus that motor, cognitive and communication outcomes are the most important outcome domains to assess. They strongly preferred home visits over hospital visits or telephone interview. The majority were happy with assessment visits lasting up to 1.5 h. Ongoing concerns for panel members related to the cause of the original stroke, the risk of recurrence and the long term outcome for their child.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future outcome studies should preferably assess outcomes at home and focus on children's motor, cognitive and communication abilities. There is an ongoing need to clarify issues with regards to the likely cause of children's strokes and their risk of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Paediatric Neurology Department, Level 6 Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8AE, UK. Electronic address: hannah.edwards@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Paediatric Neurology Department, Level 6 Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8AE, UK. Electronic address: melissa.dunlop@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Children's Hospital, Paediatric Neurology Department, Level 6 Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol BS2 8AE, UK. Electronic address: amallick@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mallick
authors.affiliation: University College London, UCL - Institute of Child Health, Neurosciences Unit, 4-5 Long Yard, London WC1N 3LU, UK. Electronic address: f.o'callaghan@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Finbar
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Callaghan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D002539:Cerebral Arterial Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D003142:Communication; D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents; D012008:Recurrence; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Arterial ischaemic stroke; Child; Delphi consensus process; Outcome; Parents