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Incidence of stroke hospitalization increased among children, adolescents

George MG. Ann Nuerol. 2011;doi:10.1002/ana.22539.

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The rate of hospitalization for ischemic stroke among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 44 years increased by 37% between 1995 and 2008, according to a study conducted by researchers at the CDC. The findings cite an increase in the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lipid disorders and tobacco use among this age group that may account for the increased incidence.

Researchers used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to identify hospitalizations occurring between 1995 and 2008. Three age groups were used in the study: 5 to 14 years, 15 to 34 years and 35 to 44 years.

During the 14-year study period, the rate of hospitalization for ischemic stroke increased among all age groups and genders, except girls aged 5 to 14 years, according to the researchers. Among boys, this rate increased by 51.6% for the 5- to 14-year-old age group, 45.6% for the 15- to 34-year-old age group and 50.4% for the 35- to 44-year-old age group. The prevalence of hospitalization for subarachnoid hemorrhage was lower among women aged 15 to 34 years and both men and women aged 35 to 44 years; however, the rate was higher for younger girls aged 5 to 14 years.

Common coexisting conditions increased throughout the study period among those aged 15 to 44 years (P<.01). Among those conditions were diabetes, hypertension, obesity, lipid disorders, congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, migraine, coagulation defects, tobacco use and patent foramen ovale.

“The trends in hemorrhagic stroke are not explained by this study and deserve further investigation such as changes in population demographics over time,” the researchers wrote. “The costs and lifelong morbidity associated with stroke are great when stroke occurs in the young. Urgent public health initiatives are needed to reverse the rising trends in modifiable risk factors and unhealthy behaviors associated with stroke in adolescents and young adults.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

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