Stroke Mimics in the Pediatric Population
Pediatric stroke is a very rare condition and it is a cause of significant morbidity and
mortality. It is among the top ten causes of death in the pediatric population, and over half
of stroke survivors experience long-term disabilities.
One major challenge in the diagnosis of stroke is the fact that there are many
conditions that may mimic stroke. In the pediatric population the incidence
of stroke mimic is around 79-93% of all presentations of acute focal brain dysfunction.
The most common diagnosis in children is complicated migraine, seizures
disorders, Bell’s palsy and conversion disorders. The aim of the evaluation of these conditions
is to rule out the diagnosis of acute stroke and the computed tomography is the modality
of choice as is more accessible in the Emergency Departments.
Pediatric stroke is an uncommon condition and it’s a cause of significant morbidity
and mortality. It is among the top ten causes of death in the pediatric population,
and over half of stroke survivors experience long-term disabilities.
Children with stroke experience impairments that interfere with normal development and living.
The incidence of pediatric stroke is rare with an estimation of 2 to 3 per 100, 000.4
Due to the rarity of the condition, recognition and diagnosis of pediatric stroke is often delayed.
Studies locally and overseas have consistently demonstrated a considerable time lag of more
than 20 hours. Besides pediatric stroke being rare, another major challenge in the diagnosis is the fact
that there are many conditions that may mimic stroke.
Neuro Open J. 2015; 2(3): 74- 78. doi: 10.17140/NOJ-2-116
