Which is the most common cause of pediatric stroke?

Sickle cell disease is recognized as the most prevalent cause of pediatric stroke. The pathophysiology involves the sickling of red blood cells, which can lead to vaso-occlusive events. This sickling reduces blood flow to certain brain areas, increasing the risk of ischemic strokes, particularly in children. Children with sickle cell disease are at a heightened risk due to their compromised cerebral blood flow, especially during episodes of pain or crisis.

While congenital heart defects can lead to strokes due to the potential for paradoxical embolism or decreased oxygenation from structural abnormalities, they are not as common in comparison to the incidence of strokes caused by sickle cell disease. Trauma to the head can cause stroke-related complications, but again, it does not match the frequency of strokes resulting from the hematological complications associated with sickle cell disease. Cerebral palsy, primarily a disorder of motor function, is not a direct cause of stroke but rather a consequence of brain injury that may involve a prior stroke. Thus, among the listed conditions, sickle cell disease stands out as the leading cause of pediatric stroke due to its significant implications for blood flow and vascular health in children.