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Background: Prediction of outcomes in perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) is challenging. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether infarct characteristics can predict outcomes in PAIS., Methods: A systematic search was conducted using five databases in January 2023. Studies were included if the sample included children with neonatal or presumed PAIS; if infarct size, location, or laterality was indicated; and if at least one motor, cognitive, or language outcome was reported. The level of evidence and risk of bias were evaluated using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Meta-analyses were conducted comparing infarct size or location with neurological outcomes when at least three studies could be analyzed., Results: Eighteen full-text articles were included in a systematic review with nine included in meta-analysis. Meta-analyses revealed that small strokes were associated with a lower risk of cerebral palsy/hemiplegia compared with large strokes (risk ratio [RR] = 0.263, P = 0.001) and a lower risk of epilepsy (RR = 0.182, P < 0.001). Middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarcts were not associated with a significantly different risk of cerebral palsy/hemiplegia compared with non-MCA strokes (RR = 1.220, P = 0.337). Bilateral infarcts were associated with a 48% risk of cerebral palsy/hemiplegia, a 26% risk of epilepsy, and a 58% risk of cognitive impairment., Conclusions: Larger stroke size was associated with worse outcomes across multiple domains. Widely heterogeneous reporting of infarct characteristics and outcomes limits the comparison of studies and the analysis of outcomes. More consistent reporting of infarct characteristics and outcomes will be important to advance research in this field., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Lo receives research grant support from the NINDS and NICHD. Dr. Bridge receives research grant support from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; he is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Clarigent Health. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Our team designed an innovative, observation-based motor impairment measure-the Pediatric Stroke Hemiplegic Motor Impairment Scale (Pedi HEMIs). Here we present the results of a survey describing common practices in the pediatric stroke community and the initial psychometric properties of the upper extremity subscale of the Pedi HEMIs (Pedi HEMIs-UE)., Methods: This is a cross-sectional study whereby participants completed a battery of assessments including the novel Pedi HEMIs-UE. Internal consistency was measured via Cronbach alpha (α). Intraclass correlation (ICC) was used to assess inter-rater reliability (IRR). Concurrent validity was investigated using Pearson or polychoric correlations and simple linear regressions., Results: The study sample consisted of 18 children aged 1.08 to 15 years. Two participants completed two sets of evaluations, totaling 20 data sets. Cronbach α, a measure of internal consistency, was on average 0.91 (range: 0.89 to 0.92). IRR was excellent with the six raters in almost perfect agreement (ICC = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83 to 0.96). Pearson correlation coefficient between the Pedi HEMIs-UE and logit Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)/mini-AHA was -0.938 (95% CI: -0.979 to -0.827, P < 0.001), indicating excellent concurrent validity., Conclusions: We found excellent feasibility, reliability, and validity of the Pedi HEMIs-UE in a convenience sample of youth with hemiparesis after stroke., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Dr. Suskauer serves on the Scientific Advisory Board role for Myomo. Dr. Sun receives funding from the American Heart Association (Career Development Award [850044]) and the D.C. Women's Board., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Neurological morbidity is common after pediatric stroke, with moderate to severe deficits that can significantly impact education and social function. Care and recovery occur in phases distinguished by the time interval after stroke onset. These phases include the hyperacute and acute periods in which the focus is on cerebral reperfusion and prevention of neurological deterioration, followed by the subacute and chronic phases in which the focus is on secondary stroke prevention and mitigation of disability through rehabilitation, adaptation, and reintegration into the community. In this article, a multidisciplinary group of pediatric stroke experts review the stages of recovery after pediatric stroke with an emphasis on critical assessment time points. Our goal is to encourage increased standardization of outcome assessment to facilitate future clinical trials comparing various treatment and intervention options and advance optimized care for children with stroke., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Following a pediatric stroke, outcome measures selected for monitoring functional recovery and development vary widely. We sought to develop a toolkit of outcome measures that are currently available to clinicians, possess strong psychometric properties, and are feasible for use within clinical settings. A multidisciplinary group of clinicians and scientists from the International Pediatric Stroke Organization comprehensively reviewed the quality of measures in multiple domains described in pediatric stroke populations including global performance, motor and cognitive function, language, quality of life, and behavior and adaptive functioning. The quality of each measure was evaluated using guidelines focused on responsiveness and sensitivity, reliability, validity, feasibility, and predictive utility. A total of 48 outcome measures were included and were rated by experts based on the available evidence within the literature supporting the strengths of their psychometric properties and practical use. Only three measures were found to be validated for use in pediatric stroke: the Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure, the Pediatric Stroke Recurrence and Recovery Questionnaire, and the Pediatric Stroke Quality of Life Measure. However, multiple additional measures were deemed to have good psychometric properties and acceptable utility for assessing pediatric stroke outcomes. Strengths and weaknesses of commonly used measures including feasibility are highlighted to guide evidence-based and practicable outcome measure selection. Improving the coherence of outcome assessment will facilitate comparison of studies and enhance research and clinical care in children with stroke. Further work is urgently needed to close the gap and validate measures across all clinically significant domains in the pediatric stroke population., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The past decades have seen a transformational shift in the understanding and treatment for neurological diseases affecting infants and children. These advances have been driven in part by the pediatric neurology physician-scientist workforce and its efforts. However, pediatric neurology research faces substantial challenges from internal and external forces including work-life balance demands, COVID-19 pandemic effects, and research funding. Understanding the impact of these challenges on the perceptions, planning, and careers of pediatric neurology physician-scientists is needed to guide the research mission., Methods: Our objective was to survey the research challenges, goals, and priorities of pediatric neurologists. In 2020 we conducted a cross-sectional, 28-question survey emailed to 1,775 members of the Child Neurology Society., Results: One hundred fifty-one individuals responded to the survey. Most respondents were grant investigators (52%) and conducted clinical research (69%). Research areas included epilepsy (23%), neurodevelopmental and autism (16%), neurocritical care and stroke (11%), neurogenetics and neurometabolics (9%), neonatal neurology (8%), and others. The most common funding source was the National Institutes of Health (37%). Shared major research concerns were funding, utilization of remote technology, overcoming disparities, natural history and multicenter studies, global neurology, and diversification of the research portfolio. Commitment to continuing and increasing research efforts was evident., Conclusions: Our survey demonstrates obstacles for physician-scientist researchers in pediatric neurology, but it also shows optimism about continued opportunity. Creative approaches to address challenges will benefit the research mission, maximize the current and future pool of researchers, and help improve the lives of children with neurological disorders., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pediatric stroke causes significant morbidity for children resulting in lifelong neurological disability. Although hyperacute recanalization therapies are available for pediatric patients, most patients are ineligible for these treatments. Therefore the mainstay for pediatric stroke treatment relies on rehabilitation to improve outcomes. Little is known about the ideal rehabilitation therapies for pediatric patients with stroke and the unique interplay between the developing brain and our models of stroke recovery. In this review, we first discuss the consequences of pediatric stroke. Second, we examine the scientific evidence that exists between the mechanisms of recovery and how they are different in the pediatric developing brain. Finally, we evaluate potential interventions that could improve outcomes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This article was written to provide clinicians and researchers with an overview of a number of advanced neuroimaging techniques in an effort to promote increased utility and the design of future studies using advanced neuroimaging in childhood stroke. The current capabilities of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques provide the opportunity to build on our knowledge of the consequences of stroke on the developing brain. These capabilities include providing information about the physiology, metabolism, structure, and function of the brain that are not routinely evaluated in the clinical setting., Methods: During the Proceedings of the Stroke Imaging Laboratory for Children Workshop in Toronto in June 2015, a subgroup of clinicians and imaging researchers discussed how the application of advanced neuroimaging techniques could further our understanding of the mechanisms of stroke injury and repair in the pediatric population. This subgroup was established based on their interest and commitment to design collaborative, advanced neuroimaging studies in the pediatric stroke population., Results: In working toward this goal, we first sought to describe here the magnetic resonance imaging techniques that are currently available for use, and how they have been applied in other stroke populations (e.g., adult and perinatal stroke)., Conclusions: With the continued improvement in advanced neuroimaging techniques, including shorter acquisition times, there is an opportunity to apply these techniques to their full potential in the research setting and learn more about the effects of stroke in the developing brain., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This case report describes a child with an expanded CTA/CTG repeat in one allele of the spinocerebellar ataxia 8 gene. This patient presented with ataxia at a much earlier age than is typical for patients with this condition. This unique patient further highlights the complexity of the role that this molecular defect plays in the onset and course of the disease.