Advanced Medical Knowledge Base

Following is the most current, medically vetted information available on pediatric stroke. The list includes: scientific statements, clinical guidelines, professional training, books/textbooks, and videos/podcasts.

Scientific Statements

Ma nagement of Stroke in Neonates and Children: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 2019
Much has transpired since the last scientific statement on pediatric stroke was published in 2008. Although stroke has long been recognized as an adult health problem causing substantial morbidity and mortality, it is also an important cause of acquired brain injury in young patients, occurring most commonly in the neonate and throughout childhood. This scientific statement represents a synthesis of data and a consensus of the leading experts in childhood cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Clinical Guidelines

The Subacute Rehabilitation of Childhood Stroke Clinical Guidelin e, 2019
Developed by the Victorian Subacute Childhood Stroke Advisory Committee and produced by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The purpose of this guideline is to improve the care of children with stroke by providing health professionals with evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations to assist in rehabilitative treatment following diagnosis of childhood stroke.

Australian Clinical Consensus Guideline: The diagnosis and acute management of childhood stroke, 2018
Published in the International Journal of Stroke, Volume 14, Issue 1, Pages: 94 – 106. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493018799958

Stroke in Childhood — Clinical guideline for diagnosis, management and rehabilitation, 2017
In 2017 the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and a multi-professional Guideline Development Group, funded by the Stroke Association and in collaboration with key partners, updated the 2004 Royal College of Physicians (RCP) guideline, Stroke in childhood: clinical guidelines for diagnosis, management and rehabilitation.

Canadian stroke best practice recommendations: Stroke rehabilitation practice guidelines, 2015
A comprehensive summary of current evidence-based recommendations for all members of multidisciplinary teams working in a range of settings, who provide care to patients following stroke. Pediatrics is section 12.

Professional Training Program

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Stroke in Children, 2022
A recorded educational webinar presented by New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, facilitated by the South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC). Join presenters Casey Olm-Shipman, MD, MS (Medical Director: Neurocritical Care UNC School of Medicine) and Mary Kay Ballasiotes (Executive Director: International Alliance for Pediatric Stroke) to gain knowledge related to early diagnosis and proper management of acute stroke in the pediatric population. A total of 1.0 contact hours will be awarded for this webinar, which is offered at no cost through December 2023. The target audience includes nurse practitioners, registered nurses, physician assistants, physicians, EMS, and all interested healthcare professionals. Event brochure.

Carolina Acute Stroke Training, 2016
The Carolina Acute Stroke Training (CAST) has a Pediatric Stroke Module (Module 9). The Carolina Acute Stroke Training (CAST) program was developed by the University of North Carolina Stroke Team. Learners for CAST include registered nurses, first responders, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and a wide variety of persons with different backgrounds, education and experience.

Each module ends with a “Completion Certificate” which indicates learning hours for a wide range of learners. The learning hours include time for reviewing the module, discussing it with colleagues, and reviewing additional resources. There is no cost to register to complete the modules. However, for anyone needing accredited continuing education, there is a nominal $29 registration fee and includes completing all the modules.

Books & Textbooks

Pediatric Stroke Rehabilitation: An Interprofessional and Collaborative Approach, 2017
The book is designed to enhance the practice of all health care providers, enrich discussion, and emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of managing best outcomes for a child who has had a stroke. Evidence-based practice is threaded throughout the text with an emphasis on recovery vs. compensation, goal achievement, and outcome measurement.

Parents, caregivers and family members of children who have had a stroke will also find this book to be a valuable resource. The publishers, SLACK Inc., have agreed to offer a discount to families who would like to purchase the book. Here are the details:
URL: www.healio.com/books/pedstroke
Promo Code: PSR17
The promo code will take 20% off the retail price. The promo code is only valid on the Healio website or by calling the customer service department at 1-800-257-8290.

Congenital Hemiplegia, 2011
This textbook for clinicians is a comprehensive review of congenital hemiplegia for the clinician covering all aspects from etiology and pathology to clinical assessment and management, whether orthopaedic, neurological or psychological. Available in the UK thru Mac Keith Press.

Handbook of Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), 2013
A textbook for Occupational Therapy and Health Care Clinicians, Researchers, and Educators.

Videos & Podcasts

Pediatric Stroke Readiness Video for Pre-Hospital Providers, NEW! September 2024
Thank you to the International Pediatric Stroke Organization (IPSO) for creating this Pediatric Stroke Readiness video to educate pre-hospital providers on pediatric stroke and the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms. Children with possible stroke need to be assessed quickly in the appropriate setting, and this video gives a good overview for the Emergency Medical Services community. Please share this video with all first responders — nurses (including school nurses), emergency medical responders, paramedics, EMTs — all medical providers who respond to emergencies involving children and teens. Coming soon, a similar video for hospital emergency departments!

Perinatal Stroke: Diagnosis and Management, December 1, 2023
A NeuroBytes course from the American Academy of Neurology eLearning. Presented by Ashley Bach, MD, MPH and Sonika Agarwal, M.B.B.S., MD. Perinatal stroke may present in neonates or older children and often has long-term effects on neurodevelopment into adulthood. Early identification and management of perinatal stroke are crucial to optimize outcomes across the lifespan. In this video, we define perinatal stroke, describe its common signs and symptoms, and provide an overview of its management to facilitate timely identification and management of patients with perinatal stroke.

JCN: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, 2022
Podcast from SAGE Neuroscience and Neurology/Journal of Child Neurology. Dr. Aliya Frederick interviews Dr. Bernard Chang and Dr. Steve Wu about transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive method of brain stimulation.

Pediatric Stroke presentation, 2019
Audio version of a lecture given by Dr. David Nelson, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Published by AudioDigest Emergency Medicine. Citation: Nelson, D.: Pediatric Stroke. AudioDigest Emergency Medicine 37:02 (January 21) 2020

Introduction to Pediatric Stroke Management, 2018
Dr. Mia Bernson-Leung of Boston Children’s Hospital Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center discusses pediatric stroke and its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and occurence rates.

Stimulating the Brains of Pediatric Stroke Survivors, 2018
In this TED talk, Dr. Brandon Craig discusses the potential of using brain stimulation to help kids rehabilitate from the injuries caused from perinatal stroke.

An Overview of Pediatric Stroke: Prenatal Through Teenager An Educational Guide for Healthcare Providers, 2015
PowerPoint slides produced by The Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the UNC Medical Center, IAPS and others. This presentation is designed to give healthcare providers basic information on perinatal and childhood stroke. Paid for by a grant from the NC Stroke Care Collaborative (Note: These are included in the Carolina Acute Stroke Training modules)

Stroke in Children Podcast with Dr. Heather Fullerton
Dr. Heather Fullerton, a pediatric vascular neurologist at UCSF, discusses stroke in children, the causes, and the generally optimistic recovery path with Bill Monroe on StrokeCast.