A web-based survey about pediatric stroke: Knowledge of pediatricians in Turkey.

Pediatric stroke requires a high level of awareness and knowledge among pediatricians to minimize mortality and morbidity. In this survey, we aimed to assess the knowledge of Turkish pediatricians about pediatric stroke. Pediatricians and pediatric residents were invited via social networking platforms to an online survey with multiple choices about definition, etiology, symptoms-signs, neuroimaging, and treatment modalities of pediatric stroke. Of 474 participants enrolled, the majority (n = 355, 70.6%) had ≥5 years of experience in pediatrics. While thirty-five percent (n = 166) of the participants never assessed pediatric stroke patients, 74.5% (n = 353) were not familiar with a stroke scale. For items related to definition/etiology, symptoms/signs, neuroimaging modalities, and stroke scale, the median correct answer rates ranged from 45.1% to 58%. The lowest median rate of correct answers (23.6%) was for acute treatment strategies. Subgroup analysis revealed that pediatric neurologists and participants with ≥5 years of experience in a subspecialty had significantly higher correct answer rates in several items. Although correct answers were gathered in some areas, there is still abundant room for improvement. Stroke knowledge of pediatric neurologists seems to be better; however, this level of knowledge can be strengthened by well-established consensus regarding diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.