pediatric_nih_stroke_scale: Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS)

In cliot: Clinical Indices and Outcomes Tools

Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS)

Description

Calculates the Pediatric NIH Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score. This is a validated adaptation of the standard NIHSS for use in children, using age-appropriate stimuli and instructions to assess neurological deficits in acute stroke. The scoring values (0 to 4) for each domain remain consistent with the adult scale.

Usage

pediatric_nih_stroke_scale(loc_responsiveness, loc_questions, loc_commands, gaze,
                           visual_fields, facial_palsy, motor_arm_left,
                           motor_arm_right, motor_leg_left, motor_leg_right,
                           limb_ataxia, sensory, best_language, dysarthria,
                           extinction_inattention)

Arguments

loc_responsiveness	Numeric (0-3). 1a: Level of Consciousness (0=Alert, 3=Coma).
loc_questions	Numeric (0-2). 1b: LOC Questions (Age appropriate, e.g., month/age). (0=Both correct, 2=Neither correct).
loc_commands	Numeric (0-2). 1c: LOC Commands (Open/close eyes, grip hand). (0=Both correct, 2=Neither correct).
gaze	Numeric (0-2). 2: Best Gaze. (0=Normal, 2=Forced deviation).
visual_fields	Numeric (0-3). 3: Visual Fields. (0=No visual loss, 3=Bilateral hemianopia).
facial_palsy	Numeric (0-3). 4: Facial Palsy. (0=Normal, 3=Complete paralysis).
motor_arm_left	Numeric (0-4). 5a: Motor Arm Left. (0=No drift, 4=No movement).
motor_arm_right	Numeric (0-4). 5b: Motor Arm Right.
motor_leg_left	Numeric (0-4). 6a: Motor Leg Left. (0=No drift, 4=No movement).
motor_leg_right	Numeric (0-4). 6b: Motor Leg Right.
limb_ataxia	Numeric (0-2). 7: Limb Ataxia. (0=Absent, 2=Present in two limbs).
sensory	Numeric (0-2). 8: Sensory. (0=Normal, 2=Severe loss).
best_language	Numeric (0-3). 9: Best Language. (0=No aphasia, 3=Mute/Global aphasia).
dysarthria	Numeric (0-2). 10: Dysarthria. (0=Normal, 2=Severe).
extinction_inattention	Numeric (0-2). 11: Extinction and Inattention (Neglect). (0=No abnormality, 2=Profound hemi-inattention).

Value

A list containing:

PedNIHSS_Score	The calculated total score (Range 0-42).
Severity_Level	Interpretation of stroke severity (No Symptoms, Minor, Moderate, Moderate-Severe, Severe).

References

Beslow LA, Jordan LC. Pediatric Stroke: The Importance of Time and Team. Stroke. 2016. Williams LS, Yilmaz EY, Lopez-Yunez AM. Retrospective assessment of initial stroke severity with the NIH Stroke Scale. Stroke. 2000;31(4):858-862.

Examples

# Example 1: Moderate Stroke
# Drowsy(1), Partial Gaze(1), Facial Droop(2), Arm Drift(1), Mild Aphasia(1)
pediatric_nih_stroke_scale(1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0)

# Example 2: Severe Stroke
# Stuporous(2), Forced Gaze(2), Hemianopia(2), R-sided Paralysis(4,4), Global Aphasia(3), Neglect(2)
pediatric_nih_stroke_scale(2, 2, 0, 2, 2, 2, 0, 4, 0, 4, 0, 0, 3, 2, 2)

cliot documentation built on Dec. 1, 2025, 1:06 a.m.