United States

Introduction Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare but associated with significant morbidity. Approximately 30% of new-borns and 50% of children diagnosed with AIS later develop hemiparesis. The relationship between their manual ability and participation at home, school and in the community has not been investigated. Patients and Methods Fourteen children with AIS (diagnosis at least 2 years ago, age 5 to 17 years) and 21 typically developing peers were examined. Participants were contacted by mail and asked to fill in questionnaires regarding their manual ability (ABILHAND-Kids) and participation (Participation and Environment Measure - Children and Youth [PEM-CY]). A Mann-Whitney-U test was used to calculate group differences, correlations were calculated using a Spearman Rank Correlation coefficient. Results There was a significant difference in manual ability between stroke patients and typically developing peers (p&lt;0.001). While there were no significant group differences in participation frequency and involvement at home, school and in the community, parents of AIS patients desired significantly higher participation at school (p=0.022). There was a significant correlation between manual ability and the desired change in participation at school (p=0.026). Conclusion Although children after AIS seem to participate equally often and be equally well involved in participation at home, school and in the community, parents of children diagnosed with AIS appear to desire a higher level of participation at school - especially when manual ability is reduced. Future studies must investigate whether increased parental participation desires in this vulnerable patient group are associated with increased pressure to perform at school.

IPSO 2021

Participation and manual ability in children diagnosed with arterial ischemic stroke: Do parents of more affected children expect more from their children?

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Dear IPSO Virtual Conference Attendees:

Welcome to IPSO’s first-ever conference! We are delighted to bring together experts from <u>multiple disciplines</u> and <u>six continents</u> to provide a diverse perspective on pediatric cerebrovascular disease.  

A few quick words about what to expect.  Two important goals of this conference are to (1) foster a sense of community and (2) identify global priorities for our field. Hence, the program includes short presentations on an array of clinical controversies and dedicates more time to panel discussions with a live chat function so that everyone can participate. We are excited to announce IPSO is able to offer 8.75 CME units for the virtual conference. If you would like to claim CME credits, please email  <membership@internationalpediatricstroke.org>. 

We want to hear from you!  Planning for the [IPSO Founding Members’ Congress](https://internationalpediatricstroke.org/2022-congress/) in Vienna, April 24-26, 2022, will commence as soon as the Virtual Conference ends. Let us know your priorities through the live chat function, via email, or by submitting a symposium idea. Based on your input, the Scientific Program Committee will select the topics that we will address in greater depth when we meet again in the spring.

We hope you find the Virtual Conference both interesting and educational, and hope to see you in person in Vienna, or at another IPSO meeting in the future.  

Warm regards,

Heather Fullerton, IPSO President

Adam Kirton, IPSO Vice-President

Lori Jordan, IPSO Secretary & Treasurer


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*Header Photo Credit: Helen Carlson, Ph.D, Alberta Children's Hospital*

To access IPSO 2021, you must pre-register for the conference.  Instructions on how to access the event will be provided directly to attendees and included on the IPSO 2021 conference website. [Register now](https://internationalpediatricstroke.org/2021-congress/registration/).

Welcome to the first IPSO Virtual Conference. The mission of the virtual conference is to unify the global community of professionals engaged in research and clinical care for children with cerebrovascular diseases, and chart a path forward for multinational, multidisciplinary efforts.  Please go here to access the virtual conference platform- <a href="https://underline.io/events/157/reception">Reception page</a>. 



Introduction Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare but associated with significant morbidity. Approximately 30% of new-borns and 50% of children diagnosed with AIS later develop hemiparesis. The relationship between their manual ability and participation at home, school and in the community has not been investigated. Patients and Methods Fourteen children with AIS (diagnosis at least 2 years ago, age 5 to 17 years) and 21 typically developing peers were examined. Participants were contacted by mail and asked to fill in questionnaires regarding their manual ability (ABILHAND-Kids) and participation (Participation and Environment Measure - Children and Youth [PEM-CY]). A Mann-Whitney-U test was used to calculate group differences, correlations were calculated using a Spearman Rank Correlation coefficient. Results There was a significant difference in manual ability between stroke patients and typically developing peers (p<0.001). While there were no significant group differences in participation frequency and involvement at home, school and in the community, parents of AIS patients desired significantly higher participation at school (p=0.022). There was a significant correlation between manual ability and the desired change in participation at school (p=0.026). Conclusion Although children after AIS seem to participate equally often and be equally well involved in participation at home, school and in the community, parents of children diagnosed with AIS appear to desire a higher level of participation at school - especially when manual ability is reduced. Future studies must investigate whether increased parental participation desires in this vulnerable patient group are associated with increased pressure to perform at school.

poster

Introduction: Pediatric stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Given the paucity of literature on etiology and presentation of childhood stroke in India, the clinico-etiological profile study would give better insights into understanding, treating and preventing childhood stroke among the Indian population. Methods: This is a Retro-prospective cohort study conducted at Narayana health city, Bangalore over a 6months period. 76 children in the age group of 0-18yrs diagnosed as arterial ischemic stroke clinically and radiologically, were included. Data was collected from hospital database and at OPD visits, analyzed and compared with available Indian and international data. Results: Our study found that most common causes for pediatric stroke were: cardio-embolic (28%), cryptogenic (27%), arteriopathy (17%) and infections (15%). There was a definite male preponderance (66%) and most of them presented at 0-5yrs age (52%). Clinically, common presenting features were hemiparesis (63%), seizures (53%), facial paresis (26%), encephalopathy (22%), fever (17%), headache (9%). 57% of patients had single cerebral hemispheric involvement. Multiple vascular territories were involved in 30%. Nine children had recurrence (11%) of which, four had Moya Moya Disease, two had cardioembolic stroke, one had vertebral artery dissection, one had propionic aciduria and one Prothrombin gene mutation. Most of them were managed conservatively (95%). Four children (7%) underwent interventions: STA-MCA bypass with EDAMS, vertebral artery coiling and 2 mechanical thrombectomy. Conclusions: Our study found the cardio-embolic phenomena as the commonest cause of AIS in India. Rarer causes of stroke were also identified. 27% remained cryptogenic despite exhaustive evaluation. A definite male preponderance was noted. Further multi-centric studies with larger sample size would confirm these findings and shed light on common causes, modes of diagnosis, preventive and curative treatment specific to Indian pediatric population.

A cohort study of clinical and etiological profile of arterial ischemic stroke among Indian pediatric population: A single center experience

The problem of a pediatric stroke has become relevant in recent decades. More than 50% of children with ischemic stroke are diagnosed with arteriopathy. Aim: assessment of the clinical features and course of arteriopathy in children diagnosed with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). Materials: 72 patients with AIS, who were treated in Moscow primary pediatric stroke center from 2013 to 2018. Boys vs girls - 42 vs 30 (58,4%vs41,6%), the average age 7.6 years. The observation period was from 16 months to 5 years. Results: in 43 children out of 72 were diagnosed the arteriopathy. 30/43 showed signs of unilateral focal stenosis of the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) and / or the middle cerebral artery (CMA) and / or the anterior cerebral artery (PMA) with / without occlusion, The severity of stroke by PedNIHSS in average 7,3. CT was made: CT angiography 28 patients (from 7 days to 4 months from the onset of stroke (1 patient twice), 8 - direct catheter angiography. Arteriopathies in patients with focal cerebral artheropathy were divided: vasculitis- 3, progressive arteriopathy -4, dissection-3, transient cerebral arteriopathy (TCA)- 20. Dynamic MRI study (from 3 to 6 months) showed: a complete restoration of blood flow-5; increase of stenosis -4; decrease of stenosis - 11; without dynamics relatively acute period -3. MR-angiography after 9-12 months: full restoration of blood flow-9; reduction of stenosis (incomplete recovery) -7. Relapse of AIS was observed in 6 patients (11.6%)with artheriopathy during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Modern methods of neuroimaging have significantly improved the diagnosis of childhood stroke, clarifying the nature and extent of cerebral vascular lesions, including artheriopathy, which is very important in determining the management of children and adolescents.

Transient cerebral arteriopathy in children and adolescents, features of clinical manifestations and course

Objectives: The prevalence of cancer among children with ischemic stroke is unknown. This study sought to evaluate cancer-associated childhood ischemic stroke in a multinational pediatric stroke registry. Methods: Children between 29 days and 19 years of age with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and/or cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) enrolled in the International Pediatric Stroke Study between January 2003 and June 2019 were included. Data including types of cancer, stroke etiology, and stroke treatment were compared between subjects with and without cancer using Wilcoxon rank sum and chi-square tests. Results: Remote or active cancer was present in 99 of 2968 children (3.3%) with AIS and 64 of 596 children (10.7%) with CSVT. Children with cancer were older than children without cancer in both the AIS (9.5 versus 5.7 years, p=0.0001) and CSVT groups (8.2 versus 6.3 years, p=0.014). Among children in whom cancer type was identified, 42 of 88 (48%) AIS cases had brain tumors and 35 (40%) had hematologic malignancies; 45 of 58 (78%) CSVT cases had hematologic malignancies and 8 (14%) had brain tumors. Primary causes most commonly reported in children with cancer-associated AIS included: arteriopathy (n=34, 62%), cardioembolic (n=9, 16%), prothrombotic state (n=4, 7%), and infection (n=4, 7%). The most frequently reported primary cause of CSVT in children with cancer was prothrombotic state (n=38, 83%). Children with cancer were less likely to receive any antithrombotic therapy for AIS (58 % v. 80%, p=0.007) and anticoagulation for CSVT (71% v. 87%, p=0.046), compared with children without cancer. Recurrent AIS (5% v. 2%, p=0.04) and CSVT (5% v. 1%, p=0.006) were more common among children with cancer. CONCLUSION: Cancer is an important risk factor for incident and recurrent childhood stroke. Although multiple risk factors for stroke were noted in children with cancer, presence of cerebral arteriopathy in children with AIS and prothrombotic state in children with CSVT appear to be the most significant underlying mechanisms contributing to increased risk for stroke in this population. Future research investigating the role of stroke prophylaxis in the high-risk subpopulations identified in this study are warranted.

Cancer-associated stroke in children: Results from the International Pediatric Stroke Study (IPSS)

Introduction: Immunomediated encephalitis has been studied with great interest in recent years. So far, etiology is not known, but it could be stowed by viral infections. Most cases have normal neuroimaging. Our patient presented an associated ischemic stroke. Since our patient presented the two pathologies, related in time, we wondered what the relationship between them might be. Clinical case: Patient of 2 years, without perinatological history to highlight, that after a febrile picture presents clonic focal crises of upper right limb, continuous, difficult to manage and ipsilateral hemiparesis. MRI shows ischemic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery and left anterior choroid artery. A week it presents hemorrhagic reformation, with good evolution.At 30 days from the onset of symptoms, it presents sensory alteration and adds abnormal movements. Anti-NMDA encephalitis is confirmed: it had qualitative antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid and plasma. MRI chronic evolution of known injury. Electroencephalogram with typical pattern of anti-NMDA encephalitis. It required first- and second-line treatment. After 6 months, there is clinical improvement. At the moment the child is 7ys and go to regular school, he has a mild hemiparesis. Discussion: We wondered if there was any relationship between these two pathologies. Is it an ischemic stroke that has evolved into an NMDA anti-NMDA encephalitis or an anti-NMDA encephalitis that has had an associated ischemic brain injury? And although they seemed far away, they have several pathophysiological mechanisms that relate them. In both pathologies, the brain receptor involved in cell damage is GluN1 NMDA. We can't confirm theories with any complete tests.

Ischemic Stroke and immune encephalitis: Which came first?

Background Stroke is a recognised complication following congenital cardiac surgery. In 2017, RCPCH published a guideline outlining investigations to be performed in children with evidence of stroke. Objectives To determine adherence to the RCPCH Stroke Guideline in patients with evidence of stroke who had undergone congenital cardiac surgery. To perform a structured survey to explore reasons for non-adherence. Methods Records of all paediatric cardiac patients undergoing surgery between January 2014 and July 2020 were cross-referenced with patients recorded as having ischaemia on brain imaging. 34 patients were identified. 16 patients who died during admission were excluded. Records of the remaining 18 patients were examined to ascertain rates of adherence to the RCPCH's recommended investigations. Subsequently, a structured survey was conducted amongst paediatric intensive care doctors to explore reasons for non-adherence. Results Table 1 documents adherence to investigations recommended by the RCPCH. Of note, complete adherence was not achieved in any patients. Of 33 doctors surveyed, 10 (30%) were aware of the guideline. When asked how likely they were to use the term 'stroke' to describe focal ischaemia on imaging, 16 (48%) respondents stated they were likely/very likely, with 9 (27%) stating they would be unlikely/very unlikely. When asked about which laboratory investigations they would perform, various tests referenced in the guideline were mentioned, but no respondents mentioned iron, total iron binding capacity, plasma homocysteine, lipoprotein, 2GP1 or alpha galactosidase. Discussion Cardiac investigations and routine blood tests were performed as per guidelines on congenital cardiac surgery. Neurological imaging was generally performed in keeping with RCPCH guidelines. However, other investigations were performed on an ad-hoc basis. The survey results suggest that this may be due to a lack of awareness of both the stroke guideline and the significance of the laboratory tests. Furthermore, disparities in terminology may contribute to a lack of consideration of the stroke guideline. As a result of this audit, the RCPCH Stroke Guideline will be available through the NHS GG&C guidelines application. Education will be delivered to raise awareness, and a stroke checklist will be introduced.

Stroke post congenital cardiac surgery - Adherence to national guidelines and reasons for non-adherence

Last years there has been a tendency to increase the incidence of stroke in children, which may be associated with an improvement in the diagnosis of this pathology in the pediatric population. Aim. Analysis of the clinical synmptoms and the conformity of the diagnoses: guides (according to the ambulance) and the discharge one. Materials. From October 2018 to December 2019, 502 hospitalization in the Primary pediatric stroke center of Morozov Hospital by the Moscow Ambulance with diagnoses of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), hemorrage stroke (HI) and transit ischemic attaсk (TIA) were analyzed. 48.8% boys and 51.2% girls were hospitalized. Results. Of 502 admissions, the directing diagnosis was TIA - 38.6%, AIS - 52,6%, HI - 8.8%. The symptoms were: headache -38.5%; dizziness - 25.5%, ataxia - 21.1%; sensory impairment - 10.6%, paresis - in 10%, speech impairment and visual impairment were detected in 9.6% and 5.4%, facial asymmetry - 6.2%, and seizures - 4%. In 30.7% patients, at the time of admission to the Center, there was no a neurological deficit. The average time from the onset of the first symptoms to hospitalization in the hospital was more 4 hours. Neuroimaging was performed in 54.8%. Computed tomography(CT)- 41.4%, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - 20.7% cases, in 7.9% both CT and MRI. AIS was confirmed in 11,2%, HI -9.1%. In confirmed AIS, the common symptoms were: paresis- 84.6%, ataxia- 84.6%; facial asymmetry- 61.5%; speech impairment and impaired sensitivity - 38.5%, respectively; visual impairment - 15.4%; nausea or vomiting and convulsions - 7.7%. In 84% patients, stroke was not confirmed. Conclusion Based on the analysis of the most frequent symptoms and "mistakes", the "Attention, stroke!" Scale was developed for ambulance doctors, which has been practiced since January 2020 in the Moscow Ambulance.

Early diagnostics of a stroke in children. Experience of Moscow primary pediatric stroke center and Moscow Ambulance

Introduction: Pediatric acute stroke is often misdiagnosed in the acute setting. Computed tomgraphy imaging has a low sensitivity and specificity for diagnoses in pediatric patients presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit. We established a collaborative protocol involving both the vascular neurology and pediatric neurology divisions in our institution for pediatric code stroke. Methods: Multidisciplinary meetings were held with the division of vascular neurology, endovascular surgery, child neurology, intensive care and emergency medicine to update our pediatric acute stroke protocol to prioritize magnetic resonance imaging over computed tomography. Educational lectures about pediatric acute stroke were given to the department of emergency medicine, division of vascular neurology, division of child neurology, and division of pediatric intensive care. Results: The protocol has been active for 18 months. There have been 20 pediatric code strokes. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained first in 14 of 20 cases. The average time from code stroke to imaging in the emergency department was 60 minutes. The average time in the inpatient setting was 115 minutes. Final diagnosis was acute ischemic stroke in 3 patients. The other diagnoses were; RCVS (1), Methotrexate toxicity (1), Seizure (10), Metabolic (2), Migraine (1), Conversion (1), Bell's Palsy (1). 1 patient recieved tissue plasminogen activator and mechanical thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion (Figures 1 and 2). Conclusions: Magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive and specific first-line imaging choice in pediatric patients presenting with acute focal neurologic deficit. Multidisciplinary collaboration including both vascular and pediatric neurologists may improve diagnosis time for patients presenting with acute focal neurologic defict.

Pediatric code stroke: a single center experience

Background and purpose: The implementation of acute stroke response protocols has resulted in a decrease in the time to diagnosis of acute stroke in children at select institutions, and this is essential for expanding access to hyperacute therapies. We aim to describe existing pediatric acute stroke response protocols in the United States and Canada to better understand how pediatric centers might implement such protocols within the context of institution-specific structures. Methods: We performed a survey-based study of pediatric stroke specialists focused on institutional acute stroke protocols. The survey queried: hospital demographics; child neurology and pediatric stroke demographics; acute stroke response; imaging; and hyperacute treatment. Results: Forty-seven surveys were analyzed. Most respondents practice at large, free-standing children's hospitals with moderate-sized neurology departments and at least one neurologist with expertise in pediatric stroke. The majority of institutions have an acute stroke pathway or protocol, and all but one of these include the activation of a stroke alert page. Most institutions cite magnetic resonance imaging as the preferred imaging modality and employ abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols for acute stroke imaging. Most institutions also have either computed tomography- or magnetic resonance-based perfusion imaging available. At least one patient had been treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and/or mechanical thrombectomy at the majority of institutions in the year prior to our survey. Conclusions: An acute stroke response protocol is utilized in at least 41 pediatric centers in the United States and Canada. Most acute stroke response teams are multidisciplinary, have annual experience providing intravenous tissue plasminogen activator and/or mechanical thrombectomy, and prefer abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging over computed tomography for stroke diagnosis. Further studies are needed to standardize practices of pediatric acute stroke diagnosis and hyperacute management.

Pediatric acute stroke response protocols

Background: Twenty to forty percent of children who suffer a stroke will die. Of those who do live, 50-80% will have permanent neurologic deficits. Early identification and intervention increases survival and decreases sequelae yet recognition of a stroke is often missed. With an incidence of only 6.4/100.000 in children aged 0-15, the rarity, the atypical presentations compared to adults and potential confounding stroke mimickers often impede prompt diagnosis. Objective: Improve recognition that children do have strokes and expedite early assessment and diagnosis that is imperative to good outcomes. This presentation will advance nursing skills in the recognition of stroke types and symptoms to familiarize them with the tools needed, such as the Pediatric National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS), to aid timely diagnoses. Design/Methods Retrospective institutional data review of children presenting with strokes between 07/2017-03/2018 was compared to the nationally recognized predisposing conditions. The prevalence of risk factors in this review exceeded what is commonly known and has been instrumental in refining our screening process, development of nurse assessment tools and a stroke alert protocol. Results: Seventy-five incidences of stroke were identified during an 8 month period, the majority were through the Emergency department with initial triage by a nurse. The causes and risk factors were categorized and 11 diagnostic groups were documented. There were 7 outliers to the commonly recognized associated conditions. All children who met assessment criteria for suspected stroke, average two -three per month, received the PedNIHSS evaluation. This screening process also identified stroke mimickers who did not require additional evaluations such as MRI. Those who were positive for PedNIHSS, defined as a score greater than 4, received timely intervention which has shown to improve long term outcomes. An acute stroke alert protocol that includes an electronic order set was developed and its efficacy continues to be evaluated at quarterly multidisciplinary meetings. Conclusion: Pediatric stroke is a reality and as pediatric providers we need to be knowledgeable and attentive to presenting symptoms. Stroke needs to be in our differential, we need to be familiar with the PedNIHSS and we need to intervene promptly for the best possible outcomes.

Is stroke on your differential? Acute stroke alert implementation in a pediatric ER

Introduction: Occupational therapy is one of the rehabilitative professions that treats children with hemiplegia secondary to perinatal and pediatric stroke (Rowland, Cooke, & Gustafsson, 2008). There is limited research on the assessment and rehabilitation of pediatric hemiplegia secondary to stroke (Marcroft, Tsutsumi, Pearse, Dulson, Embelton, & Basu, 2018). Aims: The goal is to demonstrate the effectiveness of combining pediatric constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) with a collection of evidenced based rehabilitation interventions for the treatment of hemiplegia secondary to pediatric and perinatal stroke in occupational therapy. Hypothesis:The combined approach will yield increased quality of movement, more efficient motor patterns and spontaneous use of the affected side for participation in meaningful bilateral and unilateral tasks. Methods: This quasi-experimental, case series study examined children ages 7 to 13 years in a theme-based CIMT camp for 10 or 15 days for two consecutive or alternate years. Each of the six participants received multiple components of intervention combined with CIMT. Pre and post-test measures were taken to examine outcomes using the Abilhand-Kids and Goal Attainment Scaling to compare unilateral and bilateral function from the first round of camp were compared to the second round of intensive camp. Results: The analyses determined that the dosage of CIMT camp for pediatrics can be effective for 5 hours a day for 10 or 15 days especially for first time attendees. Additionally, there is significant sustained benefit to attending CIMT camp the following year or the alternate year. There is value in combining evidenced based practices with CIMT. These participants demonstrated an increase in mean difference for functional participation, range of motion and automaticity of use of the hemiparetic hand for meaningful activities after an intensive combined approach of CIMT, and collective evidence-based rehabilitation. Conclusion: Essential components of evidenced based rehabilitative interventions combined with CIMT can facilitate improvement of motor control for the pediatric stroke population. This work is the first to demonstrate an effective framework for the unilateral treatment of pediatric hemiplegia combining the use of essential multi-components. This report can be used as a guideline for pediatric stroke treatment in the field of occupational therapy for the purpose of knowledge translation.

Participation and manual ability in children diagnosed with arterial ischemic stroke: Do parents of more affected children expect more from their children?

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A cohort study of clinical and etiological profile of arterial ischemic stroke among Indian pediatric population: A single center experience

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