Clinical characteristics and outcomes of perinatal stroke in Australia: Population-based longitudinal study

Aim

Perinatal stroke is one of the main causes of hemiplegia and seizure disorder. This study aimed to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcomes of perinatal stroke in a cohort of Australian children for its early detection.

Methods

A population-based prospective longitudinal study on perinatal stroke up to 2 years of age, was conducted from 2017 to 2019.

Results

Eighty-seven children with perinatal stroke included 79% (69/87) acute and 21% (18/87) presumed perinatal stroke. Seventy-four per cent (51/69) acute symptomatic perinatal strokes presented in the first 3 days of life and 78% (14/18) presumed perinatal strokes presented by 6 months of age. 62% had an arterial stroke, 29% had a venous stroke and 5% had a combined arterial and venous stroke. Unexpectedly, 35% (24/69) acute symptomatic perinatal stroke had only respiratory symptoms and 50% (9/18) presumed perinatal stroke were asymptomatic. The incidence of cerebral palsy was 29% (20/69) with acute symptomatic perinatal stroke and 72% (13/18) with presumed perinatal stroke.

Conclusions

The first week of a child's life is the most critical period in terms of lifelong disability from perinatal stroke. Recognising diverse clinical presentations will ensure early diagnosis and timely intervention treatments.