Purpose: To investigate the neurological outcome of ischemic stroke in children, and identify the factors associated with the neurological outcome.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with ischemic stroke younger than 15 years since 2006 through 2016 in the Department of Pediatrics, CNUH.

Results: 38 patients(18 male and 20 female, mean 6 yrs 1 mo ± 4 yrs 8 mos) revealed various etiologic disorders (Moyamoya disease, meningitis, acute myocarditis, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, sepsis, and trauma) and idiopathic ischemic stroke were 14 (36.8%). 19 presented early seizures (14 partial and 5 generalized) within 2 weeks after the onset of stroke. EEG performed within 2 weeks after the onset of ischemic stroke showed abnormalities 21 of 33 (63.6%). On the neurological outcome assessment one year after the event, 10 (26.3%) had no neurological impairments. Motor paralysis remained in 22 (57.9%), cognitive dysfunction in 9 (23.7%), and epilepsy in 20 (52.6%). No significant finding was found among possible risk factors (age, sex, early seizures, infarct characteristics, abnormal EEG findings) for motor impairment. Abnormalities on EEG findings, however, were significantly associated with cognitive dysfunction (P= 0.026), and the occurrence of early seizures with epilepsy(P = 0.000).

Conclusion: Neurological impairments were remained in 73.7% of children one year after ischemic stroke. Epilepsy was associated with the occurrence of early seizures and cognitive dysfunction with abnormalities on EEG findings within 2 weeks after the onset of ischemic stroke.