Epidemiology of childhood stroke in Senegal

Abstract

Introduction:
Publications on childhood strokes are relatively rare in Africa while the main etiological factors reported in the literature are present on the continent. This study aimed at defining the risk factors, clinical and paraclinical aspects of stroke in children in Dakar (Senegal).
Methods:
It was a restrospective multicenter study in the pediatric departments of Dakar university hospitals (Fann, Diamniadio and Albert Royer) between January 2005 and January 2020 of children aged 2 months to 18 years.
Results:
We collected 240 cases of stroke including 201 cases of ischemia and 39 cases of hemorrhage. The mean age was 60 months. Clinical manifestations were predominantly hemiplegia (33.33%) and signs of raised intracranial pressure (20.51%) for hemorrhagic strokes. In ischemic stroke, hemiplegia (79.60%) and seizures (18.05%) were predominant. The middle cerebral artery was the most affected (63.68%) in ischemic strokes. Supratentorial hemorrhagic attacks represented 94.8% and infratentorial attacks 5.12%. The main factors were sickle cell disease and heart diseases for ischemic strokes; vascular malformations for hemorrhagic strokes.
Conclusion:
Child stroke remains common in children with modifiable risk factors. The frequency of sickle cell disease and vascular malformations testify the need for multidisciplinary collaboration for better care of children.