Childhood Stroke: ICD-9 Code Positive Predictive Values for Identifying Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Events

Introduction: Childhood stroke event rates have been reported both using administrative databases and population-based epidemiological studies. The latter include verification of stroke as a case and categorization of type. Administrative databases allow cheaper, quicker estimation of rates and possible extrapolation of estimated rates to population-based rates. However, these estimations rely on the accuracy and interpretation of the ICD-9 coding. Methods: The Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study measures temporal trends in the incidence rates in a biracial population of 1.3 million. Discharge lists with primary and secondary ICD-9 codes 430-436 from 16 area hospitals for 2010 were obtained; 437-438, 674 and 747 were also included at the Children’s hospital. Detailed information from medical records of potential cases was abstracted by trained research nurses and reviewed by stroke physicians, who determined if the event was a case and, also the event type (hemorrhagic stroke, infarction or ...