Association between lipids and fibrinogen levels and ischemic stroke in the population of the Polish children with arteriopathy and cardiac disorders.

BACKGROUND

The ischemic stroke is a rare problem in childhood. Cardiac problems, arteriopathy, coaguopathies or dyslipidemia are traditional risk factors for stroke. The aim of the present study was to assess the relations between levels of lipids and fibrinogen and stroke among Polish children.

METHODS

We studied 75 patients (mean age: 8.24 +/- 5.56) and 71 healthy children (mean age: 10.32 +/- 5.7). The diagnosis of ischemic stroke was established with the WHO definition.

RESULTS

Serum triacylglycerols level and plasma fibrinogen level may be considered as risk factors for childhood stroke (p=0.004, OR=7.01 and p=0.024, OR=2.16, respectively). In the subgroup of stroke children with cardiac problems the triacylglycerols level is also the risk factor for stroke (p=0.006, OR=7.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of triacylglycerols and fibrinogen again differentiated the subgroup of children with neurological deficits from controls. In conclusion, the levels of triacylglycerols and fibrinogen are important risk factors in the etiology of stroke.