Hemorrhagic Stroke: Clinical, Etiologic and Evolutive Aspects in Senegalese Children

Abstract

Introduction: Hemorrhagic Stroke (HS) are uncommon among children. They have an etiological specificity and different risk factors that are different from those of adults. Prognosis depends on the etiology. Our objective was to study the characteristics of children's HS in Senegal. Methodology: Descriptive retrospective study from July 2003 to February 2014. Results: 13 patients were collected, including 9 boys. The mean age was 9.85 years. The antecedents were: rheumatic heart disease (2 patients); congenital heart disease (1 patient); arterial hypertension systolic-diastolic untreated (1 patient); heterozygous sickle cell anemia (1 patient). No history for (8 patients - 61.53%). The beginning was sudden or rapidly progressive in all patients. Clinical manifestations were hemiplegia (53.84%), headache and vomiting (46.15%), consciousness disorders (30.76%), partial motor seizures (7.69%). The topography was supratentorial (84.61%). The causes were: arteriovenous malformations (3 patients); severe thrombocytopenia (1 patient); systolic-diastolic arterial hypertension (1 patient); myeloblastic leukemia (1 patient). No etiology (7 patients). 4 patients died during the acute phase. 1 patient was transferred to pediatric oncology. 1 patient was transferred abroad for embolization. The mean follow-up was 11.8 months. Outcome was favorable in patients with ad integrum restitution. 7 patients had hemiparesis type of neurological sequelae (4 patients), motor partial epilepsy (4 patients) and aphasia (1 patient). 1 patient developed hydrocephalus. No recurrence was noted. Conclusion: This study provides a better diagnostic and etiological approach for better management.