[Diagnosis and emergency treatment of stroke in children]

Abstract

The sudden occurrence of a focal neurological deficit, sometimes transitory and fluctuating, must lead to a suspicion of a stroke, including in a child. The preferred examination is magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance angiography in an emergency. The sequelae of stroke are common and severe. Urgent diagnosis and adapted care can help to improve morbidity-mortality. Rehabilitation starts early and must systematically screen for cognitive or language impairment. The management of a stroke in a child must be planned for in multi-disciplinary protocols established before the patient's arrival at hospital.

Keywords: accident vasculaire cérébral pédiatrique; emergency diagnosis; imagerie; imaging; multi-disciplinary team; paediatric stroke; urgence diagnostique; équipe pluridisciplinaire.