A cross sectional, observational study on clinicoetiological and radiological profile and their association in children with cerebrovascular stroke

INTRODUCTION

Stroke is defined as the abrupt or ictal onset of focal or global neurologic symptoms caused by ischemia or hemorrhage within or around the brain resulting from diseases of the cerebral blood vessels(1). The presentation is distinctly different in children, with most cases presenting with seizures. Thus, ongoing challenges exist in development of proven screening tools & diagnostic protocol.(2) It can lead to significant morbidity and mortality even though the incidence is much lower than the adult population.(3) In comparison to adults, fewer studies are available that assess the radiological corelation with the clinicoetiological profile. With recent advances in radiological modalities, a need to co relate it with clinical profiles is seen. Assessing cases from both the clinical as well as radiological point of view will help us understand the condition better, in terms of etiology and recurrence, thus guiding us towards timely intervention. Eventually it will help us prevent the comorbidities usually associated following the event.

AIM: To study the association between clinico-etiological and radiological profiles of children with stroke

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical profile of stroke in children To study the etiological profile of stroke in children To study the radiological profile of stroke in children

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES

To study association between the clinical and radiological profiles of stroke in children

To study association between the etiological profiles and radiological profiles of stroke in children The sampling method will be purposive. Patient satisfying selection criteria will be taken in study after obtaining informed consent from parents. Children with clinically or radiologically proven stroke using one or more of the following modality (CT/MRI) will be included after screening using the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Clinical and radiological records will be obtained during the patient’s stay at the hospital and filled in a predetermined case format.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PLAN

Frequency of Stroke cases presenting to the hospital will be expressed in percentage with 95% CI. Demographic data such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc will expressed in percentage of total population studied. These will be categorised individually based on etiological, radiological features and clinical features. Association between these categories, i.e. aetiologies, clinical profiles and radiological profiles will be carried out using Chi Square test. Considering 5% significance, data will be entered and analysed using SPSS(Statistical Package for Social Sciences), v.26 software.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Determining the incidence and common presentation/s of pediatric stroke

Understanding common etiology/s involved in cases of pediatric stroke

Describing radiological features of pediatric stroke, suggestive of as well as diagnostic of, stroke, in children.

Analysing the association between their clinical and radiological profiles as well as between clinical and etiological profiles of stroke in children.