Stroke in Young

Individuals with an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 5 % of all stroke if younger than 45 years of age. The cause of stroke in young differs dramatically compared to the elderly.

The most common causes for stroke in young are:

  1. Cardiac disease
  2. Hematological
  3. Dissection

All causes are listed in the following:

  1. Cardiac disease

  •   Congenital heart disease

  •   Infective endocarditis

  •   Valvular disease (RHD)

  •   Marantic endocarditis

  •   Infective endocarditis

  •   Prosthetic valve

  •  Arrhythmias

  •  ? Mitral valve prolapse

  •  ? PFO

  1. Hematological

  •   Sickle-cell disease

  •   Protein C deficiency

  •   Protein S deficiency

  •   Antithrombin III deficiency

  •   Acquired coagulopathy

  •   Antiphospholipid antibodies

  •   Myeloproliferative disorders

  1. Arterial / Vasculopathy

  • Moyamoya,

  • Fibromuscular dysplasia

  • Para-infectious

  • Takayasu arteritis

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases

  • Infectious vasculitis

  1. Trauma

  •   Blunt trauma to posterior pharynx

  •   Cervical spine rotation or dislocation

  1. Metabolic

  •   Homocystinuria

  •   Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS)

  1. Hereditary

  • CADASIL (see the classical pathological findings)