Pediatric stroke is classified as ischemic or hemorrhagic. Which of the following are common etiologies?

• A. All of the above
• B. Moyamoya arteriopathy
• C. Arterial dissection
• D. Sickle cell disease

Answer: (A)

Pediatric stroke has a mix of causes that often sit outside the typical adult risk patterns, so recognizing a range of etiologies is key. Moyamoya arteriopathy causes progressive narrowing of intracranial arteries, which can lead to both ischemic and hemorrhagic events in children. Arterial dissection can occur in youngsters, sometimes after minor trauma or spontaneously, and it produces stroke through local thrombosis or embolization. Sickle cell disease markedly raises stroke risk due to vaso-occlusion and chronic hemodynamic stress, making it one of the most important and well-recognized pediatric stroke etiologies. Because each of these is a common, established cause in kids, the option that includes all of them best reflects the true spectrum of pediatric stroke etiologies. In practice, clinicians screen for these causes when a pediatric stroke is suspected, as identifying the underlying etiology guides treatment and prevention.