[Stroke in children and adolescents. Epidemiology--etiology--neurological deficits--neuropsychological manifestations].

Significant epidemiological facts for stroke are different in children and adolescents than in adults. A wide range of causes and risk factors are available for assessment, which is not the case for older patients. Long-term outcome must be regarded by different aspects such as spontaneous remission or the neural plasticity of child brain. Stroke in childhood results in neurological and specific neuropsychological impairments which depend on phases of brain maturity. Special attention should be paid to psychosocial effects of the disease and the impairments that result.