Characteristics and functional outcomes of pediatric stroke survivors at a rehabilitation unit in Saudi Arabia

•There is delayed admission to inpatient rehabilitation program in pediatric stroke survivors in Saudi Arabia.•Self-care and mobility significantly improved in children with stroke after an inpatient rehabilitation program.•Hemorrhagic strokes had better functional outcome than ischemic strokes.•There is a need to improve awareness about inpatient rehabilitation among pediatric health care providers. There is a lack of data regarding functional outcomes of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) in children with stroke in Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of IPR on functional outcomes of pediatric stroke survivors. This retrospective cohort study included pediatric stroke survivors (n = 18) admitted to pediatric rehabilitation unit from January 2011 to December 2018. Data were obtained regarding functional status based on WeeFIM at the time of admission and discharge. Functional gain was compared within genders, age-groups, geographical regions, lesion characteristics, location of motor deficits, primary etiology, comorbidities, and risk factors. Improvement in self-care, mobility, and cognition was also compared. Results showed a delayed admission to IPR from the time of stroke; however, a significant gain was observed in overall WeeFIM score (p