Title: Varicella-related stroke<br/>Author: Jennifer Guyther<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/resident/314/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p>
Acute ischemic stroke occurs in 3.3/100,000 children per year. Up to 30% of these are caused by varicella. This can be diagnosed if the patient has had varicella infection within the past 12 months, has a unilateral stenosis of a great vessel, and has a positive PCR or IgG from the CSF.</p>
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Treatment includes anticoagulation, acyclovir for at least 7 days and steroids for 3-5 days.</p>
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Outcome is normally good and spontaneous improvement can be seen.</p>
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Inflammation of other arteries, including other areas of the brain, can also be seen. Treatment options for this can include high dose glucocorticoids and possibly immunosuppresive agents.</p>
<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Simma et al. Therapy in pediatric stroke. Eur J Pediatr. Published online 06 November 2012.</p>
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