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Background Social functioning encompasses a range of important skills that an individual uses to interact with the social world. Previous studies suggest that social functioning (outcomes) may be impaired after childhood stroke, but research is limited. Aims We examined the following: (1) the effect of ischemic stroke upon social outcomes in children; (2) the correlation of cognitive abilities and problem behaviors with social outcomes; and (3) the role of infarct characteristics as predictors of social outcomes. Methods We conducted an observational case-controlled study to compare children with neonatal or childhood onset stroke and controls with chronic asthma. Neurological deficits were measured with the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure. Cognitive abilities, problem behavior, adaptive behavior, and social outcomes were assessed with standardized measures. Results Overall stroke cases were impaired in several areas of adaptive behaviors but not in cognitive ability, problem behaviors, or social outcomes. Children with more severe neurological deficits had impairments in a range of adaptive behaviors, social adjustment, and social participation. Impaired cognitive ability and more problem behaviors correlated with impaired social adjustment, particularly in stroke cases. Larger infarcts correlated with greater neurological impairment, lower IQ, and poorer social participation. Conclusions Stroke can result in impaired adaptive and social functioning without apparent deficits in IQ or behavior. Infarct size, residual neurological deficits, impaired cognitive ability, and problem behaviors increase the risk for poor social adjustment and participation. These findings can help the clinician anticipate impaired social functioning after pediatric stroke, which is important because age-specific treatments are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to anticipate deficits would help with implementation of interventions for children affected by stroke. The Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (Measure) measures neurological impairment after stroke, but there has been little research examining the relationship between the Measure and functional outcomes. We hypothesized the Measure correlates with cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Thirty-six children with stroke were assessed with the Measure, and tested for cognitive ability, problem behavior, adaptive behavior, and social participation. We examined the correlation between the total Measure and outcomes and determined how subscale scores associated with outcomes. Higher total Measure scores correlated with poorer outcomes in cognitive ability, problem behaviors, adaptive behaviors, and social participation. Specific subscale scores correlated with poorer outcomes in multiple domains. The total Measure can be used to anticipate poor outcomes in multiple domains after stroke and can help the clinician in the treatment of children as they recover. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]