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Introduction:Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) are the leading cause of pediatric hemorrhagic stroke. Prior studies have implicated inflammation as a major contributor to bAVM pathogenesis, with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and IL-6 protein levels reported in bAVM tissue. However, few studies have evaluated circulating inflammatory proteins as biomarkers for bAVM or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).Hypothesis:We hypothesized that higher plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-6 would be associated with bAVM ICH at initial presentation.Methods:Pediatric bAVM cases (<19 years) evaluated at our institution between 2005 and 2022 were enrolled into an ongoing cohort study. Plasma samples (n=119) were collected and analyzed using the OLINK Explore 384 Inflammation panel. Protein levels were quantified based on log-log standard curves, and log2-transformed for analysis. Multivariable regression analysis compared plasma protein levels between cases with and without ICH presentation, adjusting for sex, race, ethnicity, age, and time between initial presentation and first plasma collection. Exponentiated coefficients are presented as proportional increase (PI).Results:Samples were collected a median of 23.5 days after presentation in the ICH group and 140 days in the non-ICH group. Plasma levels of IL-6 were higher in bAVM patients with ICH vs. those without ICH (PI=3.22, 95% CI=1.32-7.85, p=0.011), adjusting for age, sex, race and Hispanic ethnicity. After further adjustment for time to sample collection, the association between IL-6 levels and ICH was no longer significant. (PI =1.36, CI=0.57-3.29, p=0.478). There was no difference in plasma levels of IL-1B between groups (PI=0.85, 95% CI=0.65-1.12, p=0.26).Conclusion:Plasma levels of IL-6 were associated with ICH presentation in this pediatric bAVM cohort; however, this association may reflect downstream effects of the hemorrhage. Further studies are needed to help clarify whether plasma IL-6 levels can be used to predict hemorrhage risk in patients with unruptured bAVMs.

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A better understanding of the stroke risk factors in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) could inform stroke prevention strategies. We analyzed pediatric stroke associated with CHD in a large community-based case–control study.

Although arteriopathies are the most common cause of childhood arterial ischemic stroke, and the strongest predictor of recurrent stroke, they are difficult to diagnose. We studied the role of clinical data and follow-up imaging in diagnosing cerebral and cervical arteriopathy in children with arterial ischemic stroke.

Introduction:Headache and anxiety are poorly described in children with moyamoya vasculopathy following revascularization.Hypothesis:Headache and anxiety in pediatric moyamoya patients are common co-morbidities and result in frequent healthcare utilization.Methods:In this single-center retrospective cohort study, children (<18 years of age) with moyamoya syndrome or disease who underwent EC-IC bypass between 2007-2020 were identified from a UCSF registry. Data regarding headache or anxiety were abstracted from medical records of inpatient, outpatient and emergency (ED) encounters using standardized forms. ED encounters were attributed to headache or anxiety when they occurred in the absence of stroke or TIA and documented as the likely cause of symptoms for that visit. Summary statistics were used to describe outcomes.Results:We identified 32 children (63% female, 53% white, 22% Hispanic) who underwent initial revascularization surgery at a median age of 8.3 years (range 0.8-17.4). Two or more EC-IC surgeries were completed in 84% of patients. During follow-up after surgery (median 6.7 years, interquartile range 3.2 - 8.2 years), 81% of patients reported headache and 53% reported anxiety (Table). Headaches led to 27 ED encounters among 10 patients (31%). Headache rescue medications were prescribed to 21 patients (66%), and headache prophylaxis was prescribed in 37.5%. Six patients (19%) were referred to a headache specialist. Symptoms attributed to anxiety led to six ED encounters among three patients, and 19% (6/32) reported panic attacks. A referral to mental health services was provided to 44% (14/32) of patients.Conclusions:Headaches and anxiety are common symptoms among children with moyamoya after revascularization and may lead to significant healthcare consumption. Symptoms and prevention measures should be explored in future studies to improve quality of life and decrease healthcare utilization.

The implementation of uniform nomenclature and classification in adult arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) has been critical for defining outcomes and recurrence risks according to etiology and in developing risk-stratified treatments. In contrast, current classification and nomenclature in childhood AIS are often overlapping or contradictory. Our purpose was to develop a comprehensive consensus-based classification system for childhood AIS.

Prior annualized estimates of pediatric ischemic stroke incidence have ranged from 0.54 to 1.2 per 100 000 US children but relied purely on diagnostic code searches to identify cases. We sought to obtain a new estimate using both diagnostic code searches and searches of radiology reports and to assess the relative value of these 2 strategies.

Prior population-based studies of pediatric hemorrhagic stroke (HS) had too few incident cases to assess predictors of cerebral aneurysms, a HS etiology that requires urgent intervention.

Previous studies suggested a male predominance in childhood ischemic stroke, mirroring gender differences in adults but were limited by small sample sizes or unconfirmed diagnoses. We sought to study gender within a large international series of confirmed cases of pediatric ischemic stroke.

Although hemorrhagic strokes (HS) account for half of all strokes in children, rates and predictors of recurrent HS have not been studied.

PHACE is an acronym for posterior fossa brain malformations, hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta and cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities. Several case reports of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in individuals with PHACE have been published, but risk factors for AIS in PHACE have not been clearly defined. The objective of this article is to review all cases of stroke in PHACE in children and describe clinical characteristics that may be associated with an increased risk of AIS.