The etiology and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases in Northeastern Thai children.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the etiology and outcome of cerebrovascular diseases among children in Northeastern Thailand. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. SETTING: Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors studied 109 pediatric patients admitted between April 1995 and 2006. RESULTS: The mean age was 11.6 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1.061. The ages at onset ranged from 6 months to 15 years, while the most commonly affected age group were children between 10 and 15 years. The authors identified 74 hemorrhagic strokes (65%) and 35 ischemic strokes (31%). The most common etiologic factor in hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes was arteriovenous malformations and cardiac diseases respectively. The five most common presenting symptoms were headache, alteration of consciousness, hemiparesis, vomiting, and seizures. The mortality rate was 22%. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the etiologies and outcomes of cerebrovascular disease in children should improve diagnosis and management.