Rare and hereditary diseases are important in causing stroke in children, younger patients and women [1]. These diseases have a world-wide prevalence, however they are not commonly diagnosed in Nigeria because of unavailability of gene mapping technologies. Notable exceptions include Moyamoya disease which commonly occur in Asian populations and Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia which causes stroke in the 7th and 8th decade, in contrast to other diseases that cause stroke in the 1st to 3rd decades [1].
The aim of this paper is to review several rare and hereditary causes of stroke.
A literature search of various database.
Stroke in young people have been linked to causes other than the conventional risk factors. In Africa, Sickle Cell Anemia is a leading cause [1]. International research consortium (MEGASTROKE) studying 520,000 individuals from around the world have identified about 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke [2].
There are currently about 32 independent genomic regions associated with stroke [2]. Other influences including hereditary causes have been associated with about 50% of strokes [2].