A Review of an Interfacility Transport Program Pediatric Stroke Clinical Practice Guideline.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2024
Identifier
DOI: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000003095
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pediatric acute ischemic stroke is a rare diagnosis that requires timely recognition and definitive management to prevent morbidity and mortality. Children often present to primary care offices, urgent care clinics, and adult emergency departments for evaluation of symptoms that may be signs and symptoms of stroke. Currently, there are no published prehospital or transport protocols specific to pediatric acute ischemic stroke. The Children's Mercy Hospital Critical Care Transport Team (CMCCT) created a pediatric-specific clinical practice guideline (CPG) for suspected acute ischemic stroke.
METHODS: This retrospective, descriptive study reports pediatric patients aged younger than 18 years who met criteria for the pediatric stroke CPG and required interfacility transport by CMCCT over a 4- year period. Large vessel occlusion (LVO) scores used in adults were calculated retrospectively.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria. Four (24%) of 17 had radiographic evidence of acute thrombus, 3 of whom received alteplase and/or endovascular clot retrieval. Median age of confirmed stroke was 83 months (interquartile range, 65-148) compared with 177 months for nonstroke (interquartile range, 169-191), P = 0.126. The most common presenting symptom was hemiplegia in the confirmed stroke group. The confirmed stroke group scored significantly lower on the Glasgow Coma Scale (median of 8 vs 15, P = 0.014), significantly higher on the Los Angeles Motor Scale LVO score (median 4 vs 0, P = 0.021), and significantly higher on the Rapid Arterial Occlusion Evaluation LVO (median 4 vs 0, P = 0.036).
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, the CMCCT CPG is the first pediatric transport protocol aimed at recognition and management of pediatric stroke described in the literature. Retrospective calculation of LVO scores show that they may be helpful in application to pediatric patients.
Journal Title
Pediatric emergency care
Volume
40
Issue
5
First Page
382
Last Page
385
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Retrospective Studies; Child; Female; Child, Preschool; Male; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Adolescent; Infant; Stroke; Transportation of Patients; Patient Transfer; Glasgow Coma Scale; Ischemic Stroke; Tissue Plasminogen Activator
Keywords
Retrospective Studies; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Stroke; Transportation of Patients; Patient Transfer; Glasgow Coma Scale; Ischemic Stroke; Tissue Plasminogen Activator
Recommended Citation
Arends G, Perry E, Sherman A, Flint J. A Review of an Interfacility Transport Program Pediatric Stroke Clinical Practice Guideline. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2024;40(5):382-385. doi:10.1097/PEC.0000000000003095
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