Behavioral Disorders and Psycho-Social Outcome After Stroke in Children

Objective: The present study examines if there is an increase of behavioral and emotional disorders after stroke in childhood. Method: 111 children who suffered a stroke aged 3 to 18 were examined. The CBCL/4-18, a parent questionnaire, was analysed to assess the child's competencies as well as behavioral and emotional problems. Differences in means were analysed according to the date of stroke, sex, affected hemisphere and child's intelligence. Results: Children tend to develop more behavioral problems due to stroke. Especially, there is an increase of social and attention deficiencies. Furthermore the children show an increase of school-based problems. More problems in behavior and temperament can be found in patients with perinatal stroke and stroke in childhood than children with stroke in infancy. Conclusions: This study emphasises the importance of comprehensive psychological diagnostics and multi professional intervention at an early stage to prevent stable psychological or psychiatric disorders after stroke in childhood.