The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Office of Rare Disorders sponsored a workshop on perinatal and childhood stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, on September 18 and 19, 2000. This was an international workshop to bring together experts in the field of perinatal and childhood stroke. Topics covered included epidemiology, animal models, risk factors, outcome and prognosis, and areas of future research for perinatal and childhood stroke. Stroke in infants and children is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and an emerging area for clinical and translational research. Currently, there is no consensus on the classification, evaluation, outcome measurement, or treatment of perinatal and childhood stroke. Pediatric stroke registries are needed to generate data regarding risk factors, recurrence, and outcome. The impact of maternal and perinatal factors on risk and outcome of neonatal stroke needs to be studied. This information is essential to identifying significant areas for future treatment and prevention.

ONCONTRAST COMPUTED TOmography (CT) has been the standard imaging modality for the initial evaluation of patients presenting with acute stroke symptoms. 1,2 The primary diagnostic advantage of CT in the hyperacute phase (0 to 6 hours) is its ability to rule out See also p 1883 and Patient Page.

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Ischemic perinatal stroke is a disorder associated with significant long-term neurologic morbidity. With an estimated incidence of 1 in 2300 to 5000 births, stroke is more likely to occur in the perinatal period than at any time in childhood. The incidence of ischemic perinatal stroke ranks second only to that of strokes in the elderly population. Although ischemic perinatal stroke is a well-recognized disorder, many aspects remain to be studied. There is no consensus on its terminology, definition, or classification. Several risk factors have been identified, but their precise roles in causing stroke are not well understood. There are no reliable predictors of ischemic perinatal stroke on which to base prevention or treatment strategies. To review these important issues and propose a research agenda, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened a workshop in August 2006. This article provides a summary of the workshop.