Neonatal arterial stroke: what all paediatricians need to know

Key words: Ischaemic stroke, Perinatal stroke, Newborn, Seizures, Review

Neonatal arterial stroke is a common cause of established neurological sequelae. Although several risk factors have been identified, many questions regarding in particular its causes remain unanswered. This study reports 3 cases observed in the Maternity Hospital in Matera (Italy) between June 2016 and March 2019. Three newborn infants with neonatal arterial ischaemic stroke presented with seizures between 24 and 48 hours of life. Two out of three newborns were effectively treated with phenobarbital. In all cases an arterial ischemic stroke on the left cerebral hemisphere was diagnosed at MRI performed on the 5th day of life. Health professionals in maternity hospitals should keep a high level of suspicion when unexplained seizures develop in healthy-appearing infants.