Herseninfarct bij jonge vrouwen

• In virtually all age groups, the incidence of ischemic stroke is higher in men. However, in women aged between 25-49 years the prevalence is higher than in men. Female-specific risk factors and disorders may explain this peak.
• Pregnancy and the post-partum period are associated with physiological changes which can increase blood coagulation. Complications during pregnancy may also increase the risk of ischaemic stroke.
• Migraine with aura and antiphospholipid syndrome are disorders which are also associated with an increased risk of ischaemic stroke. These disorders are more common in women compared to men. Furthermore, hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen are also identified to increase the incidence of ischaemic stroke.
• The acute treatment and secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke in young women is identical to that in elderly stroke patients, be it men or women, although thrombolysis and platelet aggregation inhibition in pregnant women should be approached with care.
• Clinical outcomes after stroke for women under the age of 50 are worse compared to age-matched men.

Conflict of interest and financial support: ICMJE forms provided by the authors are available online along with the full text of this article.