TITLE:
Risk of Stroke in Children at the Kamenge University Hospital Center
AUTHORS:
Alice Ndayishimiye, Daniel Nduwayo, Hélène Bukuru, Leopold Nzisabira, Freddy Uwimana, Deogratias Niyungeko
KEYWORDS:
Risk Factors, Stroke, Child
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Aim: This study aimed to determine the risk factors for stroke in children hospitalized at the Kamenge University Hospital Center for a motor deficit of the limbs. Patients and methods: This was a descriptive and retrospective study conducted from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 in the Department of Pediatrics at the Kamenge University Hospital Center. All records of children under 15 years who were hospitalized for a motor deficit of the limbs, isolated or not, for which the diagnosis of stroke has been made and with a complete medical record were included. Results: The study involved 15 patients including 9 boys and 6 girls. The average age was 48 months (4 years). The stroke occurred due to a pre-existing chronic pathology acquired or not in 73.3% of cases. In addition to hemiplegia, the other neurological signs found were mainly aphasia (73.3%) and convulsions (40%). Brain scanning could only be performed in 53.3% of cases. The main risk factors highlighted were pre-existing chronic pathologies such as sickle cell disease (40%), congenital or acquired heart disease (26.6%) and retroviral infection (13.3%). The evolution of deficit motor was favorable over a 3-month follow-up with complete regression in 93.3% of cases. Conclusion: Stroke is a rare condition in children. It often occurs on a pre-existing chronic pathology in the majority of cases. Sickle cell disease represents the greatest risk factor for childhood stroke in our context. Proper monitoring of children with chronic illnesses is essential for their survival.