Perinatal stroke is defined as a cerebrovascular event occurring during fetal or neonatal life up to 28 days after birth involving pathological or radiological evidence of focal hemorrhage or infarction of the brain. This commonly leads to chronic sequelae, which tend to manifest as the neonate grows and develops. Stroke is 17 times more common in the perinatal period than later in childhood. Pediatric strokes are defined as occurring in children greater than 28 days of age up to 18 years of age. They are less common than strokes in the perinatal period and in adults.

Strokes in the perinatal and pediatric periods have a common approach to diagnosis and treatment as well as similar potential causes. It is important for clinicians to keep the possibility ...