Socioeconomic determinants of outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke

Objective: To determine whether lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with worse one-year neurological outcomes and reduced access to rehabilitation services in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS).
Methods: From 2010-2014, Vascular Effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke observational study prospectively enrolled and confirmed 355 children (29 days -18 years) with AIS at 37 international centers. SES markers measured via parental interview included annual household income (US dollars (USD)) at time of enrollment, maternal education level, and rural/suburban/urban residence. Receipt of rehabilitation services was measured by parental report. Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure (PSOM) scores were categorized as 0-1, 1.5-3, 3.5-6, 6.5-10. Univariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression models examined potential predictors of outcome.
Results: At 12±3 months post-stroke, 320 children had documented outcome measurements, including 15 who had died. In univariate an...