Pediatric Stroke Presenting as a Seizure.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2014

Abstract

Background. Childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare and may be difficult to diagnose. Management of acute stroke in any age group is time sensitive, so awareness of the manifestations and appropriate diagnostic procedures for pediatric AIS is vital to establishing care. We present a pediatric case of arterial ischemic stroke that presented to the emergency department (ED) after two seizures. Case Report. A five-year-old female with an existing seizure disorder presented to a pediatric ED after having two seizures. Postictal upon arrival, she underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of her head. Family reported that she had complained of a severe headache and vomited; her seizures were described as different from those she had experienced in the past. Loss of grey white matter differentiation on the CT warranted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which demonstrated a right-sided stroke. After a complicated course in the hospital, the patient was discharged to a rehabilitation hospital. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? It is important that emergency physicians recognize that a seizure may be the initial symptom of a pediatric stroke regardless of an established seizure history. Pediatric seizures are relatively common; however consideration of the diagnosis of pediatric stroke may prevent unnecessary delays in treatment.

Volume

2014

First Page

838537

Last Page

838537

ISSN

20906498

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Pediatrics

PubMedID

25587467

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Fellows and Residents, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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