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Tenecteplase is replacing alteplase as the fibrinolytic agent of choice for the acute management of ischemic stroke in many adult stroke centers due to practical and pharmacokinetic advantages in the setting of similar outcomes. Although thrombolytic use is increasing for acute childhood stroke, there is very limited experience with tenecteplase in children for any indication, and importantly, there are no data on safety, dosing, or efficacy of tenecteplase for childhood stroke. Changes in fibrinolytic capacity over childhood, pediatric pharmacological considerations such as age-specific differences in drug clearance and volume of distribution, and practical aspects of drug delivery such as availability in children’s hospitals may impact decisions about transitioning from alteplase to tenecteplase for acute pediatric stroke treatment. Pediatric and adult neurologists should prepare institution-specific guidelines and organize prospective data collection.

We herein report a case of Childhood Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Angiitis. This case consisted of a 14-year-old girl who presented with right-sided weakness, aphasia, and a fever. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain showed multifocal areas of ischemia. Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the head and neck showed narrowing and irregularities of the left middle cerebral artery and right posterior cerebral artery. Cerebrospinal Fluid studies showed a lymphocytic pleocytosis and brain biopsy revealed leptomeningeal and perivascular inflammation. The epidemiology, presenting symptoms, work-up, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of Childhood Primary CNS angiitis are discussed. This case serves as a reminder that when pediatric patients present with stroke-like symptoms inflammatory etiologies including Primary CNS Angiitis must be considered and treated appropriately in a time sensitive manner.

BOB, A VETERAN, WELL-RESPECTED MANAGER, CALLS A staff meeting to introduce his new hire, Cindy. The bad news, Bob tells the staff, is that he doesn't have any money in [...]

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence, clinical correlates and exposure risk of medical encounters during community-based physical activity events in the UK.MethodsAn analysis of medical data from weekly, community-based physical activity events (parkrun) at 702 UK locations over a 6-year period (29 476 294 participations between 2014 and 2019) was conducted in order to define the incidence and clinical correlates of serious life-threatening, non-life-threatening and fatal medical encounters.Results84 serious life-threatening encounters (overall incidence rate=0.26/100 000 participations) occurred including 18 fatalities (0.056/100 000 participations). Statistical modelling revealed that the probabilities of serious life-threatening encounters were exceptionally low, however, male sex, increasing age, slower personal best parkrun time and less prior running engagement/experience (average number of runs per year and number of years as a parkrun participant) were associated with increased probability of serious life-threatening encounters. These were largely accounted for by cardiac arrest (48/84, 57%) and acute coronary syndromes (20/84, 24%). Non-life-threatening medical encounters were mainly attributed to tripping or falling, with a reported incidence of 39.2/100 000 participations.ConclusionsSerious life-threatening and fatal medical encounters associated with parkrun participation are extremely rare. In the context of a global public health crisis due to inactivity, this finding underscores the safety and corollary public health value of community running/walking events as a strategy to promote physical activity.

With renewed concerns about corporate social responsibility, enlightened organizations are introducing codes of business conduct that establish expectations for the ethical behavior of their employees. Here are some insights from [...]

Introduction:Impaired psychosocial health after stroke in adults is well established, with high prevalence of post-stroke anxiety and depression. Behavioral health following pediatric stroke is less well described. Early data suggest that pediatric stroke patients may experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, ADHD and PTSD. Early detection and treatment of behavioral health concerns can lead to improved psychosocial outcomes. However, screening measures to assess psychosocial functioning in pediatric stroke patients have not yet been explored.Methods:This single-center retrospective cohort study (COMIRB 21-3536) examined behavioral health following pediatric stroke using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) at an outpatient stroke clinic. The PSC-17 screens for a broad range of behavioral health symptoms including internalizing, externalizing, and attention concerns. This dataset included patients with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, CSVT, or periventricular venous infarction (PVI) between 0-18 years of age. Comparison data included all children seen at general outpatient pediatric appointments. Chi-square goodness of fit tests were performed to compare elevated PSC-17 score proportions in children with stroke to proportions found in the general pediatric population.Results:We identified 65 pediatric stroke patients with a parent-reported PSC-17. Global, internalizing, and externalizing scores were higher among pediatric stroke patients compared to the general pediatric population, but there was no statistically significant difference in attention measures.Conclusions:The PSC-17 identifies a higher prevalence of psychosocial health concerns among children who have experienced a stroke as compared to the general pediatric population. The PSC-17 may serve as an effective screening tool to identify pediatric stroke patients who may benefit from further psychosocial evaluation.

Racial disparities in birth outcomes are seemingly intractable. Using person-centered methods and drawing from the life course and Weathering Hypothesis literatures, we used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to group non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black women ages 24–34 into latent classes based on pre-pregnancy biomarkers of allostatic load. Stratified analyses yielded four latent classes among non-Hispanic White women, characterized by: 1) high blood pressure, 2) high body mass index and waist circumference, 3) high total cholesterol and triglycerides, and low high-density lipoprotein, and 4) low-risk, and two latent classes among non-Hispanic Black women, characterized by: 1) high body mass index and waist circumference, and moderate-risk blood pressure, hbA1c, and c-reactive protein, and 2) low-risk. Allostatic load class membership and other maternal- and infant-level covariates were then included simultaneously as predictors of three separate dichotomous outcomes: preterm birth, macrosomia, and low birth weight in multilevel logistic regression models. In a separate multilevel linear regression model, the same variables were simultaneously entered to predict continuously measured birthweight. In multilevel, multivariate models, White women in the high-risk body mass index and waist circumference class, as compared to the high-risk blood pressure class, had infants with higher birthweights. Other comparisons were not significant or not of meaningful magnitude. Prioritizing temporality so that allostatic load measurement preceded first birth likely biased the composition of the analytical sample. Additional research is needed to help medical providers and public health practitioners understand the complex biological and social mechanisms underlying inequities in birth outcomes and identify prevention strategies.

Introduction:Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) should be considered in children with persistent deficits with large vessel occlusion (LVO), although the recognition and diagnosis of stroke is often delayed. With the recent extension of treatment windows to 24 hours in adult studies, more children may now be MT candidates. The aim of this project was to examine LVO incidence in childhood strokes that present within 24 hours of symptom onset.Methods:Patients with clinical and radiographic confirmed stroke from 1995-2018 were identified via internal database search. Patients with last known normal < 24 hours and imaging within the MT time window (24 hours) were included for analysis. A pediatric neuroradiologist independently reviewed imaging to confirm presence/absence of LVO.Results:Of 165 patients with childhood stroke, 60 (36.3%) had last known normal <24 hours and vessel imaging within the MT timeframe (table). Fourteen patients (8.5%) had an LVO; nine with internal carotid or M1 and five with M2 occlusions. Median time from symptom onset to imaging was 6.47 hours in LVO patients. Most common stroke etiologies with LVO were unilateral focal cerebral arteriopathy of childhood (5) and other (5). One of the LVO patients underwent MT.Conclusions:At our institution, over 1/3rdof patients presented within 24 hour of symptom onset with vascular imaging, and nearly 1/4 of those children (8.5% overall) had an LVO amenable to potential MT. While not all children with LVO will be MT candidates, this study shows that significant numbers of children present with LVO within the adult MT treatment window.

Background:The Colorado Pediatric Stroke Program provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for pediatric stroke patients and their families. The team, which includes dedicated inpatient and outpatient nurse coordinators, instituted a plan to support the transition from the inpatient to outpatient setting.Purpose:A survey was used to determine family preparedness for clinic and ease of scheduling their appointment. The data were collected before and after enacting remote scheduling and telehealth visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:Our team provided educational materials and an outpatient appointment time to families at time of discharge starting in 2019. In January 2020, the stroke clinic staff surveyed parents and guardians about their preparedness for clinic. Telehealth encounters were initiated due to COVID-19 in March 2020, with staff conducting RedCAP surveys by telephone. The survey measured several components of visit preparedness and satisfaction including: understanding of diagnosis, reason for referral prior to clinic visit, familiarity with the stroke team prior to clinic visit, and ease in appointment scheduling. We compared results before and after March 2020 via two-tailed chi-square analysis or two-tailed Fischer’s test.Results:Prior to telehealth, families favorably reported responses with 92% (47/52) knowing the reason for referral, 86% (42/49) receiving educational material prior to clinic, and 84% (42/50) reporting familiarity with our team. All patients (50/50) reported that scheduling was easy. Only scheduling ease had a significant change during the pandemic, with 11% (2/11) of patients reporting difficulties with scheduling after starting telehealth (P=0.03).Conclusion:Childhood stroke is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality, requiring close follow-up care. Families report robust preparedness for clinic after the implementation of a comprehensive discharge plan. Although small numbers, remote scheduling and telehealth transition may present previously unseen barriers to scheduling during the pandemic. During abrupt changes in clinical operations additional scheduling resources may be needed to ensure continuity of care.

The article shares the author's experiences of attending a Pride parade at the Dragon Park in Nashville, Tennessee, and outlines the positive progress of LGBT people events in the state.