We present data on the known risk factors encountered in children presenting with a first arterial ischemic stroke to a single tertiary center over 22 years. Two hundred twelve patients (54% male; median age, 5 years) were identified. One hundred fifteen (54%) were previously healthy. Cerebral arterial imaging was undertaken in 185 patients (87%) and was abnormal in 79%. Of 104 previously healthy patients investigated with echocardiography, only 8 had abnormal studies. Genetic or acquired conditions causing thrombophilia were rare. Forty percent of patients were anemic, and 21% either had elevated total plasma homocysteine or were homozygous for the t-MTHFR mutation. Trauma and previous varicella zoster infection were significantly more common in the previously healthy group. There was a significant association between cerebral arterial abnormalities and systolic blood pressure greater than 90th percentile and a trend for an association with varicella within the previous year. Clinical history and examination usually identify underlying risk factors and precipitating triggers for arterial ischemic stroke in childhood. Cerebral arterial imaging is usually abnormal, but echocardiography and prothrombotic screening are commonly negative.

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Background-Data on rates and risk factors for clinical and radiological recurrence of childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) might inform secondary prevention strategies. Methods and Results-Consecutive Great Ormond Street Hospital patients with first AIS were identified retrospectively (1978 -1990) and prospectively (1990 -2000). Patients underwent repeat neuroimaging at the time of clinical recurrence or, if asymptomatic, at least 1 year after AIS. Cox and logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationships between risk factors and clinical and radiological recurrence, respectively. A total of 212 patients were identified, of whom 97 had another prior diagnosis. Seventy-nine children had a clinical recurrence (29 strokes, 46 transient ischemic attacks [TIAs], 4 deaths with reinfarction 1 day to 11.5 years (median 267 days) later); after 5 years, 59% (95% confidence interval, 51% to 67%) were recurrence free. Moyamoya on angiography and low birth weight were independently associated with clinical recurrence in the whole group. Genetic thrombophilia was associated with clinical recurrence in previously healthy patients, independent of the presence of moyamoya. Sixty of 179 patients who had repeat neuroimaging had radiological reinfarction, which was clinically silent in 20. Previous TIA, bilateral infarction, prior diagnosis (specifically immunodeficiency), and leukocytosis were independently associated with reinfarction. Previous TIA and leukocytosis were also independently associated with clinically silent reinfarction. Conclusions-Clinical and radiological recurrence are common after childhood AIS. The risk of clinical recurrence is increased in children with moyamoya and, in previously healthy patients, in those with genetic thrombophilia. Preexisting pathology, including immunodeficiency, and persistent leukocytosis are risk factors for radiological recurrence, which suggests a potential role for chronic infection.