Etiology and clinical outcome of stroke in young adults (18-45 years) admitted in a tertiary care hospital

Stroke among young adults (18-45years) poses a major socioeconomic health problem especially in developing countries. It is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among young adults. This study was aimed to evaluate the etiology, risk factors and clinical outcome of arterial ischaemic stroke in young adults aged 18-45 years. Ischaemic stroke in the young adult is more frequent in males. Modifiable risk factors – Smoking, alcohol and dyslipidemia were very common. Etiology can be determined in the majority and the athero-thrombotic process predominates. The mortality was negligible and the functional outcome is good in most of the patients.Thus, the knowledge of the risk factors and clinical presentation acute ischemic stroke in young adults can help in prevention, better understanding and therapeutic decision making in the disease management