Stroke in children: Consensus on diagnosis and treatment.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Pediatric stroke (PS) may be ischemic or hemorrhagic and affects patients from birth to 18 years. Although its incidence is low, it carries significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to low clinical suspicion and age-dependent symptoms, making early recognition essential for better outcomes. Neuroimaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), is fundamental for confirmation. For ischemic PS, reperfusion therapies such as thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are treatment options in selected cases. Hospital mortality ranges from 3 % to 6 % for ischemic stroke and is higher for hemorrhagic forms. Long-term complications include epilepsy and persistent neurological deficits. Improving care requires educational tools and multidisciplinary training for prehospital and hospital teams, along with institution-specific protocols. Implementing these measures does not demand additional resources but rather adaptation and professional education to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.