Abstract 3277: Initial Stroke Severity Measured by Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale Predicts 12-month Outcome in Children

Abstract

Background: Stroke is an important cause of death and disability among children. Clinical trials for childhood stroke will require a valid acute clinical stroke scale. We evaluated predictive validity of a pediatric adaptation of the NIH Stroke Scale, (PedNIHSS). Methods: The PedNIHSS was developed by modifying the adult NIHSS for administration in children. Children 2-18 yrs with acute arterial ischemic stroke were enrolled in a prospective cohort study from 15 North American sites Jan 2007-Oct 2009. Examiners were child neurologists experienced in pediatric stroke, certified in the NIHSS and trained in using the PedNIHSS. Each subject was examined daily for 7 days or until discharge. Outcome at 3 and 12 months was assessed with the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM). Associations were evaluated using Pearson rank correlation and simple linear regression. Data are mean±SD or median(IQR). Results: Among 112 children enrolled, mean age was 10.3±5.3 yr, 60% were male. Stroke mechanism was vasculopathy in 32%, cardioembolic in 30%, other in 17%, and unknown in 21%. Infarcts were in the anterior circulation in 66%, posterior circulation in 26%, both in 8%. Median time from symptom onset to initial PedNIHSS exam was 28 hrs (IQR 18-53). Median initial PedNIHSS score was 6 (IQR 3-13) and maximum 7 (IQR 3-14). Three (3%) children died, and were excluded from further analysis. Outcome data was available in 102(90%) at 3 months and 81(72%) at 12 months. Median PSOM was 1.0 (IQR 0.5-2.5) at 3 months, and 1.0 (IQR 0-2.5) at 12 months. Outcome at 12 months was good (PSOM 0-0.5) in 32/81(40%), moderate (PSOM 1.0-2.0) in 27/81(33%), and severely impaired (PSOM>2.0) in 22/81 (27%). Initial PedNIHSS score significantly predicted global deficits on PSOM at 3 (Adj R 2 =0.32, p<.0001) and 12 months (Adj R 2 =0.26, p<.0001). Maximum PedNIHSS score also significantly predicted PSOM at 3 (Adj R 2 =0.41, P<.0001) and 12 months (Adj R 2 =0.36, P<.0001).( Fig ). Conclusion: Initial stroke severity in children measured by the PedNIHSS is predictive of 3- and 12-month outcome.