Prevalence and Impact of Cardiovascular Disorders in Children with Stroke

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of cardiovascular disorders in children presenting with stroke. Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2008 to December 2022. Medical records of children presenting with stroke were reviewed to document clinical features, age, weight, gender, type of stroke, presence of hypertension, and type of cardiovascular disorder. Associated comorbid conditions were also evaluated. Descriptive statistics were reported as means with standard deviations for continuous variables and frequencies with percentages for categorical variables. Results: Out of 147 children who met the inclusion criteria, 57 (39%) were found to have both cardiovascular disorders and stroke. Among these, 15 (10%) had cyanotic congenital heart diseases, 19 (13%) had acyanotic congenital heart diseases, and 23 (16%) had acquired cardiovascular disorders. Comorbid conditions were present in 10 patients. Additionally, 5 patients developed stroke following cardiac surgery, while 1 patient experienced stroke after cardiac catheterization. Conclusion: Cardiovascular disorders are a significant and prevalent risk factor for stroke in children. Congenital heart disorders accounted for the majority of cases, with cardiomyopathy being the most common acquired condition, often associated with a history of myocarditis. These findings emphasize the need for early identification and management of cardiovascular conditions to reduce the risk of stroke in the pediatric population.