Acute ischemic stroke in a child with cyanotic congenital heart disease due to non-compliance of anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a common presentation in geriatric patients in emergency department but rarely seen in pediatric patients. In case of acute ischemic stroke in pediatric age group, management is different from that of adult ischemic stroke where thrombolysis is a good op.

METHODS: We report a case of a 17-year-old male child presenting in emergency with an episode of acute ischemic stroke causing left hemiparesis with left facial weakness and asymmetry. The patient suffered from cyanotic congenital heart disease for which he had undergone Fontan operation previously. He had a history of missing his daily dose of warfarin for last 3 days prior to the stroke.

RESULTS: The patient recovered from acute ischemic stroke without being thrombolyzed.

CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients, acute ischemic stroke usually is evolving and may not require thrombolysis.