Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke is as common as brain tumors in children. The impact of stroke on the pediatric population includes permanent impairments involving the area of cognitive functions and mental health, besides deficits in mobility. These consequences represent the origin of the high burden of morbidity of stroke in the pediatric population and heavily affect the quality of life and life expectancies.
Around half of the cases of stroke in children occur in the presence of underlying conditions such as sickle cell disease and congenital heart disease. In these cases, as well as in the cases of stroke in healthy children with no pre-existing relevant medical conditions, the risk of recurrent stroke and consequent cognitive decline remains high.
The problem of recurrence of stroke and its consequences in the long run is even more important as the affected population is young, with long life expectancy at the net of stroke sequelae. Primary and secondary prevention strategies tailored to reduce stroke in these susceptible populations are crucial to reducing the heavy impact of stroke throughout life.

Our Research Topic aims at highlighting the most recent research findings in the field of primary and secondary prevention of stroke and cognitive decline in the pediatric population. Our goal is to stimulate discussion on and improve our knowledge about individualized preventative strategies aiming at reducing the incidence and burden of stroke in children with and without specific underlying pathological conditions.

We welcome the submission of any type of manuscript supported by the journal (including Original Research, Review, etc.) pertaining to primary and secondary prevention in the pediatric population and addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Screening models of stroke risk tailored to the pediatric population
- Identification of risk factors in the pediatric population
- Selective interventions for children at the population level e.g. nutrition, vaccination
- Effect of acute stroke treatments in the pediatric population on the short- and long-term recurrence risk
- Long-term use of antithrombotic medication for the secondary prevention of recurrent stroke in children
- Lifestyle interventions tailored to the pediatric population for secondary prevention
- Prevention of cognitive decline in children with cerebrovascular diseases
- Identification of the risk factors of cognitive decline in children with cerebrovascular diseases
- Surgical interventions in children to prevent cognitive decline e.g. for moyamoya disease
- Educational interventions to prevent cognitive decline in children with cerebrovascular diseases

Dr. Fenella Kirkham acts as Principal Investigator in a clinical trial on Voxelotor funded by Global Blood Therapeutics. The other Topic Editor declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.

Impact

Frontiers in Stroke

Stroke in the Young