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Abstract: Neurobehavioral deficits in higher cortical systems have not been described previously in a large animal model of diffuse brain injury. Anesthetized 3–5 day old piglets were subjected to either mild (142 rad/s) or moderate (188 rad/s) rapid non-impact axial rotations of the head. Multiple domains of cortical function were evaluated 5 times during the 12 day post-injury period using tests of neurobehavioral function devised for piglets. There were no observed differences in neurobehavioral outcomes between mild injury pigs (N =8) and instrumented shams (N =4). Moderately injured piglets (N =7) had significantly lower interest in exploring their environment and had higher failure rates in visual-based problem solving compared to instrumented shams (N =5) on days 1 and 4 after injury. Neurobehavioral functional deficits correlated with neuropathologic damage in the neonatal pigs after inertial head injury. Injured axons detected by immunohistochemistry (β-APP) were absent in mild injury and sham piglets, but were observed in moderately injured piglet brains. In summary, we have developed a quantitative battery of neurobehavioral functional assessments for large animals that correlate with neuropathologic axonal damage and may have wide applications in the fields of cardiac resuscitation, stroke, and hypoxic–ischemic brain injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cerebrovascular disorders are increasingly recognized as important causes of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric population. However, there have been no clinical trials performed to assess the safety and tolerability of acute interventions or secondary preventative treatments. In 2002, the International Pediatric Stroke Study was launched to create a network of investigators, with an interest in developing standards of practice, as well as design and implement the first-ever clinical trials in pediatric stroke. This article reviews existing studies in pediatric stroke epidemiology, risk factors, outcomes, as well as experience with antithrombotic trials in children. From there, current and future initiatives in the development of clinical trials in pediatric stroke are evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is no FDA-approved left ventricular assist device (LVAD) for smaller children permitting routine hospital discharge. Smaller children supported with LVADs typically remain hospitalized for months awaiting heart transplant—a major burden for families and a challenge for hospitals. We describe the initial outcomes of the Jarvik 2015, a miniaturized implantable continuous flow LVAD, in the NHLBI-funded Pumps for Kids, Infants, and Neonates (PumpKIN) study, for bridge-to-heart transplant. Children weighing 8 to 30 kg with severe systolic heart failure and failing optimal medical therapy were recruited at 7 centers in the United States. Patients with severe right heart failure and single-ventricle congenital heart disease were excluded. The primary feasibility endpoint was survival to 30 days without severe stroke or non-operational device failure. Of 7 children implanted, the median age was 2.2 (range 0.7, 7.1) years, median weight 10 (8.2 to 20.7) kilograms; 86% had dilated cardiomyopathy; 29% were INTERMACS profile 1. The median duration of Jarvik 2015 support was 149 (range 5 to 188) days where all 7 children survived including 5 to heart transplant, 1 to recovery, and 1 to conversion to a paracorporeal device. One patient experienced an ischemic stroke on day 53 of device support in the setting of myocardial recovery. One patient required ECMO support for intractable ventricular arrhythmias and was eventually transplanted from paracorporeal biventricular VAD support. The median pump speed was 1600 RPM with power ranging from 1–4 Watts. The median plasma free hemoglobin was 19, 30, 19 and 30 mg/dL at 7, 30, 90 and 180 days or time of explant, respectively. All patients reached the primary feasibility endpoint. Patient-reported outcomes with the device were favorable with respect to participation in a full range of activities. Due to financial issues with the manufacturer, the study was suspended after consent of the eighth patient. The Jarvik 2015 LVAD appears to hold important promise as an implantable continuous flow device for smaller children that may support hospital discharge. The FDA has approved the device to proceed to a 22-subject pivotal trial. Whether this device will survive to commercialization remains unclear because of the financial challenges faced by industry seeking to develop pediatric medical devices. (Supported by NIH/NHLBI HHS Contract N268201200001I, clinicaltrials.gov 02954497). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the role of nitric oxide in the cerebral vascular response to hypoglycemia in the infant brain in pigs. Measurement of electroencephalogram, cerebral oxygen consumption and cerebral blood flow in piglets with hypoglycemia; Physiological effect of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.

Background: Perinatal hemorrhagic stroke in late preterm and term neonates is understudied. We describe two-month and two-year neurological outcomes in a prospective cohort.Methods: Neonates ≥36 weeks' gestation with spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke (parenchymal and intraventricular) presenting at age ≤28 days were enrolled between March 2007 and May 2015 at three tertiary pediatric centers. Hemorrhagic transformation of arterial ischemic stroke or cerebral sinovenous thrombosis was excluded. The Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) assessed outcomes. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests evaluated change over time.Results: Twenty-six neonates were included (median age: 1 day, interquartile range [IQR] 0 to 16; median gestational age: 38.3 weeks, IQR 37.0 to 39.0). Hemorrhage was isolated intraventricular in seven (27%), isolated intraparenchymal in six (23%), and a combination in 10 (39%). Three neonates (12%) died during hospitalization; one died later due to cardiac disease. Among 22 survivors, outcomes were assessed at a median of 2.1 months (IQR 1.7 to 3.3) in 96% and 1.9 years (IQR 1.3 to 2.0) in 73%. Median PSOM scores were 0.0 (IQR 0.0 to 1.0) and 0.25 (IQR 0.0 to 1.3), respectively. At two years, 45% of patients had no or nonimpairing deficits (PSOM <1.0), 30% had mild deficits (PSOM 1.0 to 2.0), and 5% had moderate deficits (PSOM 2.5 to 4.5). Over time, 31% worsened and 6% improved. Although total PSOM scores did not change significantly (P = 0.08), language subscores worsened (P = 0.009). No child developed epilepsy.Conclusions: Perinatal hemorrhagic stroke survivors had favorable outcomes in early childhood; at two years moderate to severe deficits occurred in 5%. Language deficits may emerge over time, warranting close follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare form of pediatric stroke with significant morbidity. We determined cumulative incidence and predictors of acute seizures, remote seizures, and epilepsy after pediatric CSVT. Retrospective analysis of 131 neonates and children with neuroimaging-confirmed CSVT enrolled between 2008 and 2020 from a single-center prospective consecutive cohort. Acute seizures occurred within 7 days of CSVT. Remote seizures occurred >7 days after CSVT. Epilepsy was defined as 2 or more remote seizures at least 24 hours apart. Survival methods determined the incidence of and risk factors for remote seizures and epilepsy. Acute seizures occurred in 14/33 neonates (42%) and 19/98 children (19%). Among children, hemorrhage predicted acute seizures (OR 6.6, 95% CI 1.9 to 22.4, P = 0.003). Remote seizures occurred in six neonates; five developed epilepsy. Remote seizures occurred in 14 children; 10 developed epilepsy. In neonates, 1- and 3-year epilepsy-free survival were 86% (95% CI 62% to 95%) and 66% (95% CI 32% to 87%). One- and 3-year epilepsy-free survival in children were 88% (95% CI 76% to 92%) and 84% (95% CI 59% to 86%). In multivariable analysis for children, acute seizures predicted epilepsy (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.1-13.3, P = 0.039). In both cohorts, Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure scores at last follow-up were worse in those with epilepsy compared to those without. Acute seizures occurred in approximately one quarter of our cohort and are an epilepsy risk factor in children with CSVT. Neonates and children with epilepsy had worse outcomes than those without. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mature human brain is lateralized for language, with the left hemisphere (LH) primarily responsible for sentence processing and the right hemisphere (RH) primarily responsible for processing suprasegmental aspects of language such as vocal emotion. However, it has long been hypothesized that in early life there is plasticity for language, allowing young children to acquire language in other cortical regions when LH areas are damaged. If true, what are the constraints on functional reorganization? Which areas of the brain can acquire language, and what happens to the functions these regions ordinarily perform? We address these questions by examining long-term outcomes in adolescents and young adults who, as infants, had a perinatal arterial ischemic stroke to the LH areas ordinarily subserving sentence processing. We compared them with their healthy age-matched siblings. All participants were tested on a battery of behavioral and functional imaging tasks. While stroke participants were impaired in some nonlinguistic cognitive abilities, their processing of sentences and of vocal emotion was normal and equal to that of their healthy siblings. In almost all, these abilities have both developed in the healthy RH. Our results provide insights into the remarkable ability of the young brain to reorganize language. Reorganization is highly constrained, with sentence processing almost always in the RH frontotemporal regions homotopic to their location in the healthy brain. This activation is somewhat segregated from RH emotion processing, suggesting that the two functions perform best when each has its own neural territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cerebral aneurysm formation is one of the cerebrovascular complications of sickle cell disease. Objective To report the clinical and imaging findings of intracerebral aneurysms and their treatment in pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell disease. Methods Review of clinical data via chart abstraction and radiologic features at the University of Pennsylvania and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia from 2000 to 2014 and review of the literature since 1942. Results Nineteen patients with aneurysms (2.7%) were found in 709 imaged patients, including 1.2% of imaged children and 10.8% of adults. A total of 44 aneurysms were detected (52.6% with multiple aneurysms, overall 2.3 per patient), 35 (79.5%) in the anterior circulation and 9 in the posterior circulation (20.4%). Thirty-eight unruptured aneurysms ranging in size from 2 to 6 mm and six ruptured aneurysms ranging in size from 3 to 9 mm in diameter were found. Of the patients with ruptured aneurysms, two were treated by stent-assisted coiling, two by clipping, and one patient with coiling. In the group without a rupture, one patient was treated by coil embolization and one patient with a peripheral middle cerebral artery aneurysm was treated by aneurysmectomy. Three pediatric patients with a previously normal MR angiogram demonstrated new aneurysm formation during the study. Conclusions Adult patients with sickle cell disease have a high prevalence of aneurysm formation. Both pediatric and adult patients with sickle cell disease tend to develop multiple aneurysms with frequent involvement of atypical locations, in both anterior and posterior circulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cardiac disease is a leading cause of stroke in children, yet limited data support the current stroke prevention and treatment recommendations. A multidisciplinary panel of clinicians was convened in February 2014 by the International Pediatric Stroke Study group to identify knowledge gaps and prioritize clinical research efforts for children with cardiac disease and stroke. Results Significant knowledge gaps exist, including a lack of data on stroke incidence, predictors, primary and secondary stroke prevention, hyperacute treatment, and outcome in children with cardiac disease. Commonly used diagnostic techniques including brain computed tomography and ultrasound have low rates of stroke detection, and diagnosis is frequently delayed. The challenges of research studies in this population include epidemiologic barriers to research such as small patient numbers, heterogeneity of cardiac disease, and coexistence of multiple risk factors. Based on stroke burden and study feasibility, studies involving mechanical circulatory support, single ventricle patients, early stroke detection strategies, and understanding secondary stroke risk factors and prevention are the highest research priorities over the next 5-10 years. The development of large-scale multicenter and multispecialty collaborative research is a critical next step. The designation of centers of expertise will assist in clinical care and research. Conclusions There is an urgent need for additional research to improve the quality of evidence in guideline recommendations for cardiogenic stroke in children. Although significant barriers to clinical research exist, multicenter and multispecialty collaboration is an important step toward advancing clinical care and research for children with cardiac disease and stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study describes educational placement of school-aged children after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and examines whether educational placement is associated with severity of neurological deficits.Methods: Children with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage presenting from 2007 to 2013 were prospectively enrolled at three tertiary children's hospitals. The Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure and parental interview gathered information about neurological outcome, school attendance, and educational placement.Results: The cohort of 92 enrolled children included 42 school-aged children (6 to 17 years) with intracerebral hemorrhage. Four children died; one was excluded because of preexisting cognitive deficits. Thirty-seven children completed three-month follow-up, and 30 completed 12-month follow-up. At 12 months, 14 children (46.7%) received regular age-appropriate programming, 12 (40%) attended school with in-class services, three (10%) were in special education programs, and one child (3.3%) received home-based services because of intracerebral hemorrhage-related deficits. Of 30 children with three- and 12-month follow-up, 14 (46.7%) improved their education status, 13 (43.3%) remained at the same education level, and three (10%) began to receive in-class services. An increasing Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure score predicted the need for educational modifications at three months (odds ratio, 3.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 7.9; P = 0.007) and at 12 months (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.9; P = 0.025).Conclusions: Most children returned to school within a year after intracerebral hemorrhage, and many had a reduction in the intensity of educational support. However, a great need for educational services persisted at 12 months after intracerebral hemorrhage with fewer than half enrolled in regular age-appropriate classes. Worse deficits on the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure were associated with remedial educational placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cerebral arteriopathy is a risk factor for incident and recurrent childhood AIS. There are no standardized criteria to quantify arteriopathy severity. Aims To evaluate a method of scoring severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood arterial ischemic stroke ( AIS) and its association with recurrence. Methods In a single-center prospectively enrolled cohort of 49 children with first AIS and arteriopathy, a composite cerebrovascular stenosis score ( CVSS) was measured by two independent raters as the sum of stenosis scores in each of 18 intracranial large and medium arteries, where 0 = none; 1 = low-grade, 1-50%; 2 = high-grade, >50-99%; 3 = occlusion, 100%. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to determine the association of CVSS with recurrence. The analysis was stratified by presence or absence of moyamoya arteriopathy (syndrome or disease). Results At a median follow-up period of 2·5 years (range: 0·8-9), 18/49 children (37%) experienced a recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 0·2 (range: 0·02-2·8) years. Interrater agreement was good, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·77 [95% confidence interval ( CI) 0·63-0·87, P < 0·001). Higher CVSS was associated with higher recurrence rate [hazard ratio ( HR) per point 1·09, 95% CI 1·04-1·16, P = 0·001]. Among those with moyamoya arteriopathy, CVSS was associated with recurrence ( HR per point of CVSS 1·11, 95% CI 1·03-1·19, P = 0·004), but there was no association in those without moyamoya arteriopathy ( HR per point of CVSS 0·91, 95% CI 0·75-1·09, P = 0·32). Conclusions The CVSS is a reliable measure of severity of steno-occlusive arteriopathy in childhood stroke. This preliminary study suggests that higher CVSS is associated with stroke recurrence in children with moyamoya arteriopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Few data regarding causes and outcomes of haemorrhagic stroke (HS) in term neonates are available. We characterised risk factors, mechanism and short-term outcomes in term and late preterm neonates with acute HS. Design: Prospective cohort. Setting: Single-centre tertiary care stroke registry. Subjects Term and late preterm neonates (≥34 weeks gestation), born 2004-2010, with acute HS ≤28 days of life were identified, and clinical information was abstracted. Short-term outcomes were assessed via standardised neurological exam and rated using the Paediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM). Results Among 42 neonates, median gestational age was 39.7 weeks (IQR 38-40.7 weeks). Diagnosis occurred at a median of 1 day (IQR 0-7 days) after delivery. Twentyseven (64%) had intraparenchymal and intraventricular haemorrhage. Mechanism was haemorrhagic transformation of venous or arterial infarction in 22 (53%). Major risk factors included congenital heart disease (CHD), fetal distress and haemostatic abnormalities. Common presentations included seizure, apnoea, and poor feeding or vomiting. Acute hydrocephalus was common. Mortality was 12%. Follow-up occurred in 36/37 survivors at a median of 1 year (IQR 0.5-2.0 years). Among 17/36 survivors evaluated in stroke clinic, 47% demonstrated neurologic deficits. Deficits were mild (PSOM 0.5-1.5) in 9/36 (25%), and moderate-to-severe (PSOM ≥2.0) in 8/36 (22%). Conclusions: In our cohort with acute HS, most presented with seizures, apnoea and/or poor feeding. Fetal distress and CHD were common. Nearly two-thirds had intraparenchymal with intraventricular haemorrhage. Over half were due to haemorrhagic transformation of infarction. Short-term neurologic deficits were present in 47% of survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on the thrombosis' prevention and treatment in pediatric and congenital heart disease. It explores the hemostasis in children with information on initiation of coagulation, amplification, and regulation of thrombin and fibrin. It highlights the agents for its treatment and prevention, such as heparin-induced thrombocytepenia and measures of anticoagulant effect. It also focuses on the special considerations with warfarin therapy in children.

Background: Options for mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to heart transplantation in children with severe heart failure are limited. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-group trial of a ventricular assist device designed specifically for children as a bridge to heart transplantation. Patients 16 years of age or younger were divided into two cohorts according to body-surface area (cohort 1, <0.7 m2; cohort 2, 0.7 to <1.5 m2), with 24 patients in each group. Survival in the two cohorts receiving mechanical support (with data censored at the time of transplantation or weaning from the device owing to recovery) was compared with survival in two propensity-score–matched historical control groups (one for each cohort) undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Results: For participants in cohort 1, the median survival time had not been reached at 174 days, whereas in the matched ECMO group, the median survival was 13 days (P<0.001 by the log-rank test). For participants in cohort 2 and the matched ECMO group, the median survival was 144 days and 10 days, respectively (P<0.001 by the log-rank test). Serious adverse events in cohort 1 and cohort 2 included major bleeding (in 42% and 50% of patients, respectively), infection (in 63% and 50%), and stroke (in 29% and 29%). Conclusions: Our trial showed that survival rates were significantly higher with the ventricular assist device than with ECMO. Serious adverse events, including infection, stroke, and bleeding, occurred in a majority of study participants. (Funded by Berlin Heart and the Food and Drug Administration Office of Orphan Product Development; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00583661.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies of pediatric intracerebral hemorrhage have investigated isolated intraparenchymal hemorrhage. The authors investigated whether detailed assessment of intraventricular hemorrhage enhanced outcome prediction after intracerebral hemorrhage. They prospectively enrolled 46 children, full-term to 17 years, median age 2.7 years, with spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage and/or intraventricular hemorrhage. Outcome was assessed with the King’s Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury. Twenty-six (57%) had intraparenchymal hemorrhage, 10 (22%) had pure intraventricular hemorrhage, and 10 (22%) had both. There were 2 deaths, both with intraparenchymal hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage volume ≥4% of total brain volume. Presence of intraventricular hemorrhage was not associated with poor outcome, but hydrocephalus showed a trend (P = .09) toward poor outcome. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, combined intraparenchymal hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage volume also showed a trend toward better outcome prediction than intraparenchymal hemorrhage volume alone. Although not an independent outcome predictor, future studies should assess intraventricular hemorrhage qualitatively and quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAM) are rare but clinically significant intracranial arteriovenous shunt lesions that most often present in neonates and infants. Retrospective clinical data were collected for patients evaluated with a diagnosis of VGAM from 1994 to 2007. Thirteen patients with VGAM were evaluated from 1994 to 2007. Seven patients presented emergently with medically intractable cardiac failure, and six were treated in the first 2 weeks of life. Five children treated after this period (1.5–31 months of age) manifested enlarging head circumference, abnormal development, or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Eleven patients were managed endovascularly. Four disease or procedure-related complications occurred. Two complications were associated with poor outcome, both of which occurred in patients treated at less than 2 weeks of age. Two other patients experienced transient neurological deficits with no evidence of permanent sequelae. Outcome in the six patients treated emergently in the first 2 weeks of life included two patients who developed normally, one with mild to moderate neurological deficits, one with severe neurological deficits, and two deaths. Outcome in the five older patients (treated between 1.5 and 31 months) was considerably better than in the group treated early and included three with normal outcome and two with mild neurological deficits. Contemporary endovascular techniques remain the preferred treatment for VGAM in all age groups. Early diagnosis and multimodality treatment are essential for the best management and treatment of the complex constellation of clinical problems often arising from this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Silent cerebral infarct (SCI) is the most common cause of serious neurological disease in sickle cell anemia (SCA), affecting approximately 22% of children. The goal of this trial is to determine whether blood transfusion therapy will reduce further neurological morbidity in children with SCI, and if so, the magnitude of this benefit. Procedure: The Silent Cerebral Infarct Transfusion (SIT) Trial includes 29 clinical sites and 3 subsites, a Clinical Coordinating Center, and a Statistical and Data Coordinating Center, to test the following hypothesis: prophylactic blood transfusion therapy in children with SCI will result in at least an 86% reduction in the rate of subsequent overt strokes or new or progressive cerebral infarcts as defined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. The intervention is blood transfusion versus observation. Two hundred and four participants (102 in each treatment assignment) will ensure 85% power to detect the effect necessary to recommend transfusion therapy (86% reduction), after accounting for 10% drop out and 19% crossover rates. MRI examination of the brain is done at screening, immediately before randomization and study exit. Each randomly assigned participant receives a cognitive test battery at study entry, 12–18 months later, and study exit and an annual neurological examination. Blood is obtained from all screened participants for a biologic repository containing serum and a renewable source of DNA. Conclusion: The SIT Trial could lead to a change in standard care practices for children affected with SCA and SCI, with a consequent reduction in neurological morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND. Little is known about the clinical features and spectrum of diagnoses in children with "stroke mimics," those with acute neurologic deficits but without cerebrovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES, Our goal was to describe patients with stroke mimics and to determine if clinical features predict benign diagnoses. METHODS, Our stroke consult team registered a prospective consecutive cohort of 143 patients with acute presentations suspicious for cerebrovascular disease from November 2003 to November 2004. Cases in which stroke was ruled out (stroke mimics) were reviewed for clinical features and diagnostic test results and were classified "benign" if there was no structural brain lesion and there was an expectation of complete recovery. RESULTS. Of the 143 cases evaluated for suspected stroke, 30 (21%) had stroke mimics. Presenting signs included seizure (n = 11), headache (n = 9), mental status change (n = 6), focal weakness (n = 14), and focal sensory change (n = 7). Eleven patients had "benign" diagnoses (3 migraine, 3 psychogenic diagnoses, 3 musculoskeletal abnormalities, 1 delirium, and 1 episodic vital sign changes). Nineteen patients had "not-benign" diagnoses !3 reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, 3 neonatal seizures, 2 vascular anomalies, 2 inflammatory disease, 2 intracranial infection, 2 epilepsy, 2 metabolic stroke, 1 tumor, 1 drug toxicity, and 1 idiopathic intracranial hypertension). Except for the presence of seizures, there were no significant differences in presentation or risk factors between benign and not-benign cases. CONCLUSIONS. Many disorders mimic childhood stroke. History and clinical presentation often do not distinguish the one third of patients with benign disorders from the two thirds with more serious problems, necessitating timely comprehensive investigations, especially brain MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Direct costs for children who had stroke are similar to those for adults. There is no information regarding the out-of-pocket costs families encounter. We described the out-of-pocket costs families encountered in the first year after a child's ischemic stroke.Methods: Twenty-two subjects were prospectively recruited at four centers in the United States and Canada in 2008 and 2009 as part of the "Validation of the Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale" study; families' indirect costs were tracked for 1 year. Every 3 months, parents reported hours they did not work, nonreimbursed costs for medical visits or other health care, and mileage. They provided estimates of annual income. We calculated total out-of-pocket costs in US dollars and reported costs as a proportion of annual income.Results: Total median out-of-pocket cost for the year after an ischemic stroke was $4354 (range, $0-$28,666; interquartile range, $1008-$8245). Out-of-pocket costs were greatest in the first 3 months after the incident stroke, with the largest proportion because of lost wages, followed by transportation, and nonreimbursed health care. For the entire year, median costs represented 6.8% (range, 0%-81.9%; interquartile range, 2.7%-17.2%) of annual income.Conclusions: Out-of-pocket expenses are significant after a child's ischemic stroke. The median costs are noteworthy provided that the median American household had cash savings of $3650 at the time of the study. These results with previous reports of direct costs provide a more complete view of the overall costs to families and society. Childhood stroke creates an under-recognized cost to society because of decreased parental productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Direct costs for children who had stroke are similar to those for adults. There is no information regarding the out-of-pocket costs families encounter. We described the out-of-pocket costs families encountered in the first year after a child's ischemic stroke. Methods Twenty-two subjects were prospectively recruited at four centers in the United States and Canada in 2008 and 2009 as part of the “Validation of the Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale” study; families' indirect costs were tracked for 1 year. Every 3 months, parents reported hours they did not work, nonreimbursed costs for medical visits or other health care, and mileage. They provided estimates of annual income. We calculated total out-of-pocket costs in US dollars and reported costs as a proportion of annual income. Results Total median out-of-pocket cost for the year after an ischemic stroke was $4354 (range, $0-$28,666; interquartile range, $1008-$8245). Out-of-pocket costs were greatest in the first 3 months after the incident stroke, with the largest proportion because of lost wages, followed by transportation, and nonreimbursed health care. For the entire year, median costs represented 6.8% (range, 0%-81.9%; interquartile range, 2.7%-17.2%) of annual income. Conclusions Out-of-pocket expenses are significant after a child's ischemic stroke. The median costs are noteworthy provided that the median American household had cash savings of $3650 at the time of the study. These results with previous reports of direct costs provide a more complete view of the overall costs to families and society. Childhood stroke creates an under-recognized cost to society because of decreased parental productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonates and children differ from adults in physiology, pharmacologic responses to drugs, epidemiology, and long-term consequences of thrombosis. This guideline addresses optimal strategies for the management of thrombosis in neonates and children.Methods: The methods of this guideline follow those described in the Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines.Results: We suggest that where possible, pediatric hematologists with experience in thromboembolism manage pediatric patients with thromboembolism (Grade 2C). When this is not possible, we suggest a combination of a neonatologist/pediatrician and adult hematologist supported by consultation with an experienced pediatric hematologist (Grade 2C). We suggest that therapeutic unfractionated heparin in children is titrated to achieve a target anti-Xa range of 0.35 to 0.7 units/mL or an activated partial thromboplastin time range that correlates to this anti-Xa range or to a protamine titration range of 0.2 to 0.4 units/mL (Grade 2C). For neonates and children receiving either daily or bid therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin, we suggest that the drug be monitored to a target range of 0.5 to 1.0 units/mL in a sample taken 4 to 6 h after subcutaneous injection or, alternatively, 0.5 to 0.8 units/mL in a sample taken 2 to 6 h after subcutaneous injection (Grade 2C).Conclusions: The evidence supporting most recommendations for antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children remains weak. Studies addressing appropriate drug target ranges and monitoring requirements are urgently required in addition to site- and clinical situation-specific thrombosis management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a case of a child with history of headache, diplopia and mastoid pain. The child has been diagnosed with mastoiditis, received intravenous antibiotics and underwent mastoidectomy. However, headache and diplopia had persisted so a neurology service was consulted. Accordingly, the examination has revealed right sixth nerve palsy and bilateral papilloedema. Several images depicting mastoid opacification, inflammation, and ipsilateral jugular and sigmoid venous sinus thrombosis through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are presented.