Arterial ischemic stroke: common risk factors in newborns and children.

Perinatal AIS The incidence of perinatal AIS, defined as occurring one month before to one month after delivery, is approximately 4 per 10 000 full-term babies.2 Direct causes for newborn stroke are not well understood. Predisposing maternal factors may include choreoamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes, and first-time pregnancy.3 The birthing process itself may be a risk, and AIS is likely polygenic. In neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), 10% of those with severe HIE may have focal infarcts. Thrombophilias and vasculopathies as determined by MRA are rare.3 Perinatal stroke does not usually recur.