Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke Research Articles

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Children Admitted to Tabriz Children’s Hospital, Tabriz, Iran during (2014-2019)

Background Arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is an important cause of neurological disabilities, such as hemiparesis, epilepsy, and cognitive dysfunction in children. This study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, risk factors, and neuroimages of pediatric patients with AIS. Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study all of 73 patients admitted to Tabriz children’s hospital with the diagnosis of Ischemic stroke between 2014 and 2019 were enrolled in the study and follow up for at least one year after discharge. Stroke was diagnosed based on clinical presentation and compatible Brain CT scan and MRI, or MRV/MRA and then Para clinical assessment were done. Results: Male predominance in the present have been observed with male/female ratio of 1.28. AIS was common in younger age (79.4% 0.05). Conclusion With careful investigation, in most of the children underlying risk factors could be found. Based on the results, acute illness and cardiac disorders were the most frequent risk factors in pediatric stroke. However, some of these risk factors (such as anemia, infection, and dehydration) which are relatively common in the pediatric population were preventable.

Recanalization strategies in childhood stroke in Germany

Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (CAIS) is a rare event. Diverse etiologies, risk factors, symptoms and stroke mimics hamper obtaining a fast diagnosis and implementing immediate recanalization strategies. Over a period of 3 years (2015–2017), the data of 164 pediatric patients (> 28 days of life-18 years) with a first episode of AIS were submitted to a hospital-based nationwide surveillance system for rare disorders (ESPED). We report a subgroup analysis of patients who have undergone recanalization therapy and compare these data with those of the whole group. Twenty-eight patients (17%) with a median age of 12.2 years (range 3.3–16.9) received recanalization therapy. Hemiparesis, facial weakness and speech disturbance were the main presenting symptoms. The time from onset of symptoms to confirmation of diagnosis was significantly shorter in the intervention group (4.1 h vs. 20.4 h, p ≤ 0.0001). Only in one patient occurred a minor bleed. Cardiac disease as predisposing risk factor was more common in the recanalization group. Recanalization therapies are feasible and increasingly applied in children with AIS. High awareness, timely diagnosis and a large amount of expertise may improve time to treatment and make hyperacute therapy an option for more patients.

Arterial Ischemic Stroke-Peculiarities of Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors in Indian Children.

There are not enough recent studies on arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in Indian children. We retrospectively reviewed data on 95 children (69 boys), aged 3 months to 17 years, with AIS. Focal signs were noted in 84 (88%) with hemiparesis in 72 (76%). Diffuse signs were present in 33 (35%) with fever in 22 (23%), altered mental status in 20 (21%), and headache in 12 (13%). Seizures occurred in 29 (31%) children. Arteriopathy was observed in 57 (60%) children with mineralizing lenticulostriate vasculopathy (mLSV) in 22 (23%) being the most common, followed by moyamoya in 14 (15%), arterial dissection in 9 (10%), and focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) in 8 (8%). Preceding head/neck trauma was present in 27 (28%) children: 23 had minor head trauma (MHT), 3 neck trauma, and 1 unspecified. Other common risk factors (RFs) were iron deficiency in 10 children, homocysteinemia in 8 children, and tuberculous meningitis in 5 children. Complete or nearly complete recovery occurred in 42 (44%). Nine children developed epilepsy and five cognitive and language disability. Stroke recurrences occurred in nine children. Overall, arteriopathies accounted for majority of the cases of childhood AIS in our study with mLSV and moyamoya being the most frequent. Compared with data from Western countries, FCAs, postvaricella arteriopathy, and arterial dissections were less common. Of the nonarteriopathic RFs, MHT, iron deficiency, homocysteinemia, and neuroinfections were most frequent in our cohort in contrast to cardioembolic diseases and inherited procoagulant conditions, which are common in developed countries.

Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy of Childhood: Clinical and Imaging Correlates.

Focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) of childhood with unilateral stenosis of the anterior circulation is reported to account for up to one-quarter of childhood arterial ischemic stroke, with stroke recurrence in 25% of cases. Limited knowledge regarding pathophysiology and outcome results in inconsistent treatment of FCA. Children with arterial ischemic stroke due to FCA between January 1, 2009, and January 1, 2019, were retrospectively identified at our institution which serves the US Pacific Northwest region. Electronic health record data, including neuroimaging studies, were reviewed, and the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure at 1 year was determined as the primary clinical end point. Fifteen children were diagnosed with FCA, accounting for 19% of children with cerebral arteriopathies (n=77). Among children with FCA, the median age at the time of stroke was 6.8 years (Q1–Q3, 1.9–14.0 years). Four (20%) patients had worsening stroke, 3 of whom had concurrent infection. Three (20%) FCA cases were treated with steroids, one of whom had worsening stroke. Median Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure at 1 year was 1.0 (Q1–Q3, 0.6–2.0). Variability in arteriopathy severity was observed within many patients. Patients with more severe arteriopathy using the Focal Cerebral Arteriopathy Severity Score had larger strokes and were more likely to have worsening stroke. The most common long-term neurological deficit was hemiparesis, which was present in 11 (73%) patients and associated with middle cerebral artery arteriopathy and infarcts. FCA may be less common than previously reported. Neuroimaging in FCA can help identify patients at greater risk for worsening stroke.

Predictors of motor outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke.

To identify clinical and radiological predictors of long-term motor outcome after childhood-onset arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Medical records of 69 children (36 females, 33 males; median age at index AIS 3y 3mo, range: 1mo-16y) who presented to Great Ormond Street Hospital with first AIS in the MCA territory were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were categorized using the Childhood AIS Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation (CASCADE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography were evaluated. An Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) was calculated on MRI. The Recurrence and Recovery Questionnaire assessed motor outcome and was dichotomized into good/poor. Eventual motor outcome was good in 49 children and poor in 20. There were no acute radiological predictors of eventual motor outcome. At follow-up, CASCADE 3A (i.e. moyamoya) and Wallerian degeneration were significantly associated with poor motor outcome. In the multivariate analysis, younger age and CASCADE 3A predicted poor motor outcome. In the context of recommendations regarding unproven and potentially high-risk hyperacute therapies for childhood AIS, prediction of outcome could usefully contribute to risk/benefit analysis. Unfortunately, paradigms used in adults, such as ASPECTS, are not useful in children in the acute/early subacute phase of AIS. What this paper adds Adult paradigms, such as the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score system, are not useful for predicting outcome in children. Younger children tend to have a poorer long-term prognosis than older children. Moyamoya is associated with poor prognosis.

Childhood arterial ischemic stroke due to mineralizing angiopathy: an 18-year single-center experience.

Mineralizing angiopathy is a unique, age-specific stroke syndrome characterized by basal ganglia infarction and lenticulostriate calcification after minor head injury in early childhood. There is limited understanding of the pathophysiology, course, and clinical outcome of this syndrome. We describe the clinical and radiographical phenotype of a single-center, consecutively enrolled cohort of children with mineralizing angiopathy from January 2002 to January 2020 and provide a comparative analysis to previously published literature. Fourteen children were identified. Previously unreported findings include: stroke onset in eight children older than 18 months; presence of basal ganglia hemorrhage in four; multifocal basal ganglia infarcts in three; presence of additional non-basal ganglia calcifications in three; and presence of thrombophilia in one. Seven children had moderate-to-severe neurological deficits. There was no symptomatic stroke recurrence (mean follow-up 3y 7mo, SD 1y 7mo). Our expanded phenotype highlights distinct characteristics of mineralizing angiopathy in children and has the potential to inform future research. What this paper adds Children with mineralizing angiopathy are often misdiagnosed as having a limb fracture despite normal x-rays. A magnetic resonance imaging-only approach may miss this entity. Non-contrast computed tomography, in addition to MRI is recommended to identify calcifications in idiopathic arterial ischemic stroke. Most children have moderate-to-severe neurological sequela.

Arteriopathy in pediatric stroke: an underestimated clinical entity.

Pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), which was thought to be a rare disorder, is being increasingly recognized as an important cause of neurological morbidity, thanks to new advances in neuroimaging. The aim of this study was to review the main etiologies of stroke due to arteriopathy in children. Using a series of cases from our institution, we addressed its epidemiological aspects, physiopathology, imaging findings from CT, MR angiography, MR conventional sequences and MR DWI, and nuclear medicine findings. Through discussion of the most recent classification for childhood AIS (Childhood AIS Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation, CASCADE), we propose a modified classification based on the anatomical site of disease, which includes vasculitis, varicella, arterial dissection, moyamoya, fibromuscular dysplasia, Takayasu's arteritis and genetic causes (such as ACTA-2 mutation, PHACE syndrome and ADA-2 deficiency). We have detailed each of these separately. Conclusions: Prompt recognition of AIS and thorough investigation for potential risk factors are crucial for a better outcome. In this scenario, neurovascular imaging plays an important role in diagnosing AIS and identifying children at high risk of recurrent stroke.

Abstract P579: Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery Correlates With Time of Onset of Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Childhood

Background: In adults, time since stroke onset correlates with efficacy and risk of recanalization therapies; beyond this temporal window there is increased risk of adverse events in particular hemorrhage with thrombolysis and decreased benefit of recanalization due to irreversible tissue injury. In adults the appearance of fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal is a proxy for time, and is typically present by 6 hours. The time to FLAIR signal hyperintensity in childhood stroke is unknown but is of interest with potential utility due to the often greater uncertainty as to timing symptom onset. Methods: Time to FLAIR signal hyperintensity on brain MRI performed on children within 24 hours of stroke onset was studied with logistic regression. Results: A total of 68 MRIs with FLAIR imaging were available from 54 children (27 female), age 0.8 to 17.9 years, median 12.0 years. Seventy-four percent (40/54) of children and 72% (49/68) of scans had anterior circulation stroke. Interquartile range for time to FLAIR presence was 7.8 to 19.1 hours. The 90% probability of FLAIR change was reached at 11.2 hours for all strokes (Figure, dotted line; 80% highest density interval (HDI): 1.2-11.2 hours), and 9.3 hours for anterior circulation only strokes (Figure, solid line; 80% HDI: 3.3-9.3 hours), though nearly all had FLAIR change by 6 hours. FLAIR change was absent in 4 children after 6 hours, two with anterior circulation stroke (16 year-old at 6.1 hours, 10 year-old at 7.0 hours) and 2 with posterior circulation stroke (15 year-old at 7.3 hours, 9 month-old at 18.2 hours). Conclusion: Similar to adults, FLAIR hyperintensity can be used to estimate time since stroke ictus in childhood stroke. Children may have somewhat delayed time to FLAIR signal change compared with adults, suggesting that they may have a longer window for effective recanalization therapies.

АРТЕРИАЛЬНЫЙ ИШЕМИЧЕСКИЙ ИНСУЛЬТ РАННЕГО ВОЗРАСТА, АССОЦИРОВАННЫЙ С МИНЕРАЛИЗУЮЩЕЙ ЛЕНТИКУЛОСТРИАРНОЙ АНГИОПАТИЕЙ И ЛЕГКОЙ ЧЕРЕПНО-МОЗГОВОЙ ТРАВМОЙ

Study aims: 1) to evaluate the significance of mineralizing angiopathy of lenticulostriate arteries (MALA) in the development of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in children; 2) to study clinical and neuroimaging signs of AIS that develops after a head injury and does not meet the criteria of known disease types. Material and methods: to achieve the first aim, groups were formed: 1) the main group – patients with AI, n=86, Me 2,9 years; control – healthy children, n=131, Me 3,2 years. In the compared groups, neurosonography (NSG) protocols were studied for MALA. For the second aim, anamnesis and data from a clinical neuroimaging examination of 106 patients with AIS (Me 2,9 years) were analyzed. Stroke type was identified by the Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation (CASCADE). Results: MALA increases the risk of AIS (ОR 16,15 [95% CI 5,43–48,1]). Stroke that does not meet the criteria of 1–5 types according to CASCADE is often associated with MALA. Clinical of AIS in patients with MALA are early age and mild head trauma (F=6,9, R=0,73, p<0,0001); the onset is marked by the absence of fever, vomiting, seizures, Glasgow coma scale 13, improvement in the first week (F=8,49, R=0,546, p<0,0001). Neuroimaging signs are the basal ganglia lacunar infarct and the absence of cerebral arteriopathy according to magnetic resonance angiography (F=52,8, R=0,402, p<0,0001). The percentage of this type stroke in children with AIS is 26,4%. Conclusion: MALA is a risk factor of AIS in children. AIS in infants which is associated with mineralizing angiopathy of lenticulostriate arteries and mild head trauma is an independent type of stroke. For its verification, computed tomography or NSG are needed.

Pediatric Ischemic Stroke: An Infrequent Complication of SARS-CoV-2.

Severe complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) include arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Whether stroke is a frequent complication of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 is unknown. This study aimed to determine the proportion of pediatric SARS-CoV-2 cases with ischemic stroke and the proportion of incident pediatric strokes with SARS-CoV-2 in the first 3 months of the pandemic in an international cohort. We surveyed 61 international sites with pediatric stroke expertise. Survey questions included: numbers of hospitalized pediatric (≤ 18 years) patients with SARS-CoV-2; numbers of incident neonatal and childhood ischemic strokes; frequency of SARS-CoV-2 testing for pediatric patients with stroke; and numbers of stroke cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 from March 1 to May 31, 2020. Of 42 centers with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalization numbers, 8 of 971 (0.82%) pediatric patients with SARS-CoV-2 had ischemic strokes. Proportions of stroke cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 from March to May 2020 were: 1 of 108 with neonatal AIS (0.9%), 0 of 33 with neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT; 0%), 6 of 166 with childhood AIS (3.6%), and 1 of 54 with childhood CSVT (1.9%). However, only 30.5% of neonates and 60% of children with strokes were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, these proportions represent 2.9, 0, 6.1, and 3.0% of stroke cases tested for SARS-CoV-2. Seven of 8 patients with SARS-CoV-2 had additional established stroke risk factors. As in adults, pediatric stroke is an infrequent complication of SARS-CoV-2, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in only 4.6% of pediatric patients with ischemic stroke tested for the virus. However, < 50% of strokes were tested. To understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric stroke better, SARS-CoV-2 testing should be considered in pediatric patients with stroke as the pandemic continues. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:657-665.

Influence of socioeconomic status on cognitive outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke.

AimTo determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) is a stronger predictor for cognitive outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke compared to clinical factors.MethodWe investigated perceptual reasoning, executive functions, language, memory, and attention in 18 children and adolescents (12 males, six females, median age at testing 13y 4mo, range 7y–17y 5mo) after arterial ischemic stroke; collected sociodemographic information (education of parents, household income); and used clinical information (initial lesion volume, residual lesion volume, age at stroke, time since stroke). Linear regression models were used to investigate the potential influence of SES and clinical parameters on cognitive abilities.ResultsSES had a moderate effect on all cognitive outcome parameters except attention by explaining 41.9%, 37.9%, 38.0%, and 22.5% of variability in perceptual reasoning, executive functions, language, and memory respectively. Initial lesion volume was the only clinical parameter that showed moderate importance on cognitive outcome (33.1% and 25.6% of the variability in perceptual reasoning and memory respectively). Overall, SES was a stronger predictor of cognitive outcome than clinical factors.InterpretationFuture paediatric studies aiming at clinical predictors of cognitive outcome should control their analyses for SES in their study participants. The findings of the present study further point to the need for more attention to the treatment of children with low SES.What this paper adds Socioeconomic status (SES) explains up to 42% of variance in cognitive outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke.SES is a stronger predictor of outcome than clinical factors.

Imaging Predictors of Neurologic Outcome After Pediatric Arterial Ischemic Stroke.

To assess whether initial imaging characteristics independently predict 1-year neurological outcomes in childhood arterial ischemic stroke patients. We used prospectively collected demographic and clinical data, imaging data, and 1-year outcomes from the VIPS study (Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke). In 288 patients with first-time stroke, we measured infarct volume and location on the acute magnetic resonance imaging studies and hemorrhagic transformation on brain imaging studies during the acute presentation. Neurological outcome was assessed with the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure. We used univariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models to test the association between imaging characteristics and outcome. Univariate analysis demonstrated that infarcts involving uncinate fasciculus, angular gyrus, insular cortex, or that extended from cortex to the subcortical nuclei were significantly associated with poorer outcomes with odds ratios ranging from 1.95 to 3.95. All locations except the insular cortex remained significant predictors of poor outcome on multivariable analysis. When infarct volume was added to the model, the locations did not remain significant. Larger infarct volumes and younger age at stroke onset were significantly associated with poorer outcome, but the strength of the relationships was weak. Hemorrhagic transformation did not predict outcome. In the largest pediatric arterial ischemic stroke cohort collected to date, we showed that larger infarct volume and younger age at stroke were associated with poorer outcomes. We made the novel observation that the strength of these associations was modest and limits the ability to use these characteristics to predict outcome in children. Infarcts affecting specific locations were significantly associated with poorer outcomes in univariate and multivariable analyses but lost significance when adjusted for infarct volume. Our findings suggest that infarcts that disrupt critical networks have a disproportionate impact upon outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke.

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke: Considerations in Children.

The use of mechanical thrombectomy for the treatment of acute childhood arterial ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion is increasing, with mounting evidence for its feasibility and safety. Despite this emerging evidence, clear guidelines for patient selection, thrombectomy technique, and postprocedure care do not exist for the pediatric population. Due to unique features of stroke in children, neurologists and interventionalists must consider differences in patient size, anatomy, collateral vessels, imaging parameters, and expected outcomes that may impact appropriate patient selection and timing criteria. In addition, different causes of stroke and comorbidities in children must be considered and may alter the safety and efficacy of thrombectomy. To optimize the success of endovascular intervention in children, a multidisciplinary team should take into account these nuanced considerations when determining patient eligibility, developing a procedural approach, and formulating a postprocedure neurological monitoring and therapeutic plan.

Risk Factors for Postprocedural Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Children With Cardiac Disease.

Cardiac pathologies are the second most frequent risk factor (RF) in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to analyze RFs for AIS in children with cardiac disease and cardiac intervention. Data were drawn from the Swiss Neuropediatric Stroke Registry. Patients with cardiac disease and postprocedural AIS registered from 2000 until 2015 were analyzed for the cause of cardiac disease and for potential RFs. Forty-seven out of 78 children with cardiac disease had a cardiac intervention. Of these, 36 presented a postprocedural AIS. Median time from cardiac intervention to symptom onset was 4 days (interquartile range, 2-8.5); time to diagnosis of AIS was 2 days (interquartile range, 0-5.8). Main RFs for postprocedural AIS were hypotension, prosthetic cardiac material, right-to-left shunt, arrhythmias, low cardiac output, and infections. In children with postprocedural AIS, time to diagnosis was delayed. Most patients presented multiple potentially modifiable RFs as hemodynamic alterations and infections.

Validation of the focal cerebral arteriopathy severity score (FCASS) in a Swiss cohort: Correlation with infarct volume and outcome.

Focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA), a major cause of childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), can progress and lead to increased infarct size and/or recurrent stroke. Evaluating treatment options depends on the ability to quantify reliably the degree of stenosis in FCA. We validated the recently introduced FCA severity score (FCASS) in an independent cohort from the Swiss Neuro-Paediatric Stroke Registry (SNPSR). We included children with FCA who had MR or CT angiography and a Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) at 6-months and 2-years post-stroke. A paediatric neuroradiologist applied the FCASS and the modified pediatric Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS), a measure of infarct volume, to all available imaging. Two senior paediatric stroke neurologists and a neuroradiology fellow independently assigned FCASS scores to test interrater reliability. Pairwise correlations between FCASS, pedASPECTS, and PSOM were examined. Thirty-two children [median (IQR) age=5.9 (1.8, 9.6), 19 males] were included. The median maximum FCASS score at any time was 9 (IQR 6, 12; range 3, 16). Larger infarct volume scores correlated with both higher maximum FCASS scores and worse post-stroke outcomes, although we found no direct correlation between FCASS and outcomes. Stroke neurologists tended to assign lower FCASS scores than the neuroradiologist, but interrater reliability was predominantly good. In this independent validation cohort, higher maximum FCASS correlated with greater infarct volume scores that also correlated with worse neurological outcomes. Scoring by non-imaging specialists seems to be valuable, although differences are present.

Childhood Arterial Ischaemic Stroke: Clinical Presentation, Risk Factors and Management.

Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) is a rare, but potentially life-threatening event which requires early diagnosis and adequate treatment. The reported significant time delay to childhood AIS diagnosis may be associated with low awareness, the more nonspecific clinical presentation as well as difficult clinical differentiation to more common "stroke mimics" and a less established "acute care structure" with delayed access to proper neuroimaging. Compared with adult stroke care, experiences with acute reperfusion therapies like thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are promising but limited and not based on clinical trials. The etiological work-up is absolutely essential, as the child's individual risk profile determines acute management, secondary prevention, risk of recurrence and outcome. Follow-up care should be organized in a multidisciplinary setting covering all bio-psycho-social aspects to achieve the best integration of the child into its educational, later professional and social environments.

Predictors of Neurological Outcome of Arterial Ischemic Stroke in Children

AbstractStroke is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in children. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term neurological outcome in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and explore predictive factors that affect poor outcome. Fifty-six patients aged between 1 month and 17 years who were treated at M. Iashvili Children's Central Hospital, Tbilisi, Georgia, with an onset of stroke from 2007 to 2017 were included. To explore predictive factors of outcome, the following data were collected: demographic characteristics, risk factors, he presenting signs, radiological features, and presence of stroke recurrence. Neurological status at discharge and long-term neurological outcome at least 1 year after stroke was evaluated according to Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure subscale. The reported outcome after childhood stroke was variable with long-term neurological deficits in one-third of patients (30.4%). The neurological outcome was worse in males, in patients with multiple stroke episodes, and in those with infarctions involving a combination of cortical and subcortical areas. Pediatric AIS carries the risk of long-term morbidity, and neuroimaging has a predictive influence on outcome.

Abstract TP361: Recreational Drug Use and Arterial Ischemic Stroke in a Pediatric Cohort

Background: Existing literature reports an association between recreational drug use and arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults. Due to recent trends in legalization and concerns regarding the impact of drugs on the developing brain, there is an urgent need for increased awareness of recreational drug use as a risk factor for AIS in childhood. Purpose: To increase awareness of an association between AIS and recreational drug use in a pediatric cohort. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of a consecutive cohort of patients at a tertiary care pediatric center diagnosed with AIS in the context of recreational drug use between 2008-2017. Drug use was confirmed using toxicology testing and clinical history. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were collected. Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores (PSOM) were obtained from an institutional Stroke Registry. Results: Three males and one female were included in the study. Mean age at stroke presentation was 16.3 years (range 16-17 years). Three children presented with focal neurologic deficit and one with new onset seizure. Drug use for each patient was described as follows: Patient A - Marijuana; Patient B - Oxybutynin, Fluoxetine and unidentified compound; Patient C - Marijuana and Amphetamine; Patient D - Marijuana and alcohol. MRI demonstrated diffusion restriction in the anterior circulation in two children, anterior and posterior circulation in one child, and bilateral posterior circulation in one child also found to have a remote AIS. Vascular findings included: Patient A - normal; Patient B and C - right anterior circulation arteriopathy; Patient D - posterior circulation arteriopathy and bilateral vessel wall enhancement. ECHO and pro-thrombotic results were non-contributory. However, one patient required PFO closure. PSOM scores indicated mild-moderate disability initially and moderate disability at follow-up for three of four patients. Conclusions: This case series describes an association between recreational drug use and AIS in adolescents. We are unable to comment on the incidence of AIS related to drug use from our cohort. However, our data highlights a need for public health strategies that acknowledge AIS as a potential consequence of recreational drug use in adolescents.

Abstract 52: Case Reports of Short-Term Outcome Following Mechanical Thrombectomy for Childhood Stroke May Be Overly Optimistic

Background: Meta-analyses of case reports and case series of mechanical thrombectomy in childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) suggest that mechanical thrombectomy is associated with good short-term outcomes in approximately three-quarters of children. Methods: Retrospective data on 38 children treated between 2010-2019 with mechanical thrombectomy for stroke were collected from former Thrombolysis in Pediatric Stroke (TIPS) sites. To minimize reporting bias, sites were required to report all patients ≤ 17 years treated with mechanical thrombectomy either at the study site or at an outside hospital prior to transfer. Short-term outcomes, defined as change in NIHSS prior to and following mechanical thrombectomy (MT), were compared with 85 children from case reports/case series published between 2010-2019. Results: The mean age of children from former TIPS sites was 11.9 years, 50% male, 34% treated with IV tPA prior to thrombectomy. The mean age of published cases was 10.4 years, 65% males, 19% treated with IV tPA prior to thrombectomy. Case reports had a wider distribution of before-MT NIHSS scores, and a steeper decrease in distributions of after-MT NIHSS scores than those from study sites within 24 hours of MT (Figure 1A; medians: 15 to 4 in published cases, 12 to 8 in cases from sites) and at discharge (Figure 1B; medians: 15 to 3 in published cases, 12 to 5 in cases from sites). Conclusion: Patients reported to former TIPS sites had discernably lower rates of good short-term outcomes compared with published case reports and case series, suggesting publication bias. Capturing key metrics of safety and effectiveness of MT in children with AIS, including variations in care delivery in actual practice, will be critical in the creation of evidence-based guidelines for acute management of pediatric AIS.

Abstract TP406: Risk of Recurrent Childhood Stroke Differs by Vasculopathy Subtype

Introduction: Head and neck vasculopathies are the most frequent identifiable cause of childhood arterial ischemic stroke, and abnormal vascular imaging is associated with higher risk of stroke recurrence. Despite this, little is known about how vasculopathy subtype impacts risk of both initial and recurrent stroke. In this single-center retrospective analysis, we analyze differences in stroke recurrence by vasculopathy subtype. Methods: Using ICD codes, we identified children treated for a head or neck vasculopathy at our tertiary care center between 2003 and 2019. Inclusion criteria included imaging-confirmed head or neck vasculopathy diagnosed between the ages of 28 days and 18 years. Retrospective chart review was carried out with attention to vasculopathy subtype and occurrence/recurrence of stroke and TIA. Results: Ninety-three patient met inclusion criteria, including 55 who experienced a stroke. Five-year stroke recurrence rates differed significantly by vasculopathy subtype (n=28, p=0.030, Fisher exact test), as patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) and sickle cell, Down syndrome, or neurofibromatosis-related vasculopathy experienced higher recurrence rates. There was a non-significant increased rate of stroke recurrence among patients with secondary versus primary MMD. Conclusions: Children with primary and secondary MMD have a higher risk of stroke recurrence than children with other vasculopathy subtypes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of vasculopathy etiology and other radiographic and clinical characteristics on stroke recurrence risk so that appropriate treatment strategies can be implemented early in these high-risk patients.