Abstract
The male sex has been suggested to predominate in paediatric patients with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), especially in newborns. The explanation for this phenomenon remains unsatisfactory since it focuses on the analysis of the potential relationship with trauma and arterial dissection. In turn, in some populations of young adults, men suffer from AIS more frequently than women, which may be related to the protective role of oestrogen. On the other hand, certain data indicate that women dominate over men. Some of the disparities in the frequencies of particular symptoms of AIS and poststroke consequences in both children and young adults have been suggested; however, data are scarce. Unfortunately, the low number of studies on the subject does not allow certain conclusions to be drawn. For adults, more data are available for patients aged over 60 years, the results of which are more obvious. The present literature review aimed to discuss available data on the prevalence of AIS, its clinical presentations, and poststroke consequences in regard to the sex of young patients. We considered young patients to be children from birth up to the age of 19 years of life and young adults to be individuals up to the age of 55 years. The role of sex hormones in AIS and possible gender differences in genetic risk factors for AIS were also discussed briefly.
Highlights
Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in young patients, from the neonatal period to young adulthood, has a multifactorial determination
A study by Amlie-Lefond et al [39] performed on 676 children with pediatric AIS indicated again the male sex predominance (i.e., 59% of the whole analysed group were boys)
Our previous study on children with AIS demonstrated that both carriers of the T allele of 677C>T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene and the T allele itself are associated with an increased risk of AIS in male paediatric patients suffering from stroke (odds ratio (OR) = 3.09, p = 0.023, and OR = 3.09, p = 0.009, respectively) [88]
Summary
Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in young patients, from the neonatal period to young adulthood, has a multifactorial determination. Risk factors for stroke in children and young adults differ from each other Maternal factors, such as chronic diseases, including metabolic and endocrine disorders, as well as genetic and acquired coagulation disorders, and environmental ones, especially stimulants, are crucial in the stroke pathology during the neonatal period. In the adult population, the more frequent occurrence of stroke itself, the type of stroke, and its consequences in one of the sexes are considered in the context of hormonal determinants, which is closely related to the age of patients. This context in the developmental population is much less explored and explained. The role of sex hormones in AIS and possible gender differences in genetic risk factors for AIS are discussed briefly
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
