Ischemic Perinatal Stroke

Ischemic strokes are more common in the perinatal period than at any other time of life. Several risk factors for perinatal stroke have been identified but the impact of or interactions between the risk factors are not well understood. To date, there are no reliable predictors of ischemic stroke on which to base prevention or treatment interventions. Studies in the last decade focusing specifically on IPS have improved the knowledge base for perinatal stroke but there are many areas that still need clarification, such as risk factors contributing to IPS and which of these might be utilized as predictive markers for newborns with increased risk. This article provides a review of what is currently known of the prevalence, potential risks, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of ischemic perinatal stroke.