Risk factors, etiology and neurological outcomes of childhood cerebrovascular diseases: a single-center study

Purpose: To identify risk factors for childhood cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) in order to facilitate early diagnosis and reduce recurrence risk, and to evaluate associations between etiological factors and neurological sequelae.Materials and methods: Medical records of patients hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Pamukkale University Hospital, between 2018 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient anamneses, etiologies, imaging findings, treatments administered, and sequelae were obtained and analyzed from digital records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0.Results: Over a five-year period, 28 pediatric patients with cerebrovascular disease were evaluated: 25% had cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (SVT), 57.1% arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), and 17.9% hemorrhagic stroke. The mean age was 9.99±5.51 years, and 57.1% were male. Neuroimaging most frequently demonstrated cortical–subcortical and basal ganglia involvement (39.3%), with a predominance of left hemispheric lesions. Hemiparesis and headache were the most common presenting symptoms, and 32.1% of patients had a history of seizures. In SVT and AIS cases, arteriopathy (34.7%), prothrombotic conditions (26%), and infectious causes (13%) were the leading etiologies, while 22% remained idiopathic. Anticoagulant therapy was the most commonly initiated treatment. During follow-up, neurological sequelae developed in 39.3% of patients. Arteriopathy and admission for physical therapy and rehabilitation were significantly more frequent among patients with sequelae (p<0.05), whereas prothrombotic and infectious etiologies were more common in those without sequelaeConclusion: Multiple risk factors are associated with childhood CVD. This study offers a detailed clinical overview of childhood CVDs at a tertiary care center.