[Subclavian steal syndrome in childhood (author's transl)].
The authors report on four children with subclavian steal associated with coarctation or interrupted aortic arch. All children showed a stenotic origin of the left subclavian; in addition three of them had an extreme hypoplasia of the proximal segment of this artery. Two children had typical symptoms of insufficiency of the vertebral and basilar circulation (headache, dizziness, syncopal attacks, vision and hearing disorders) since the age of 7 and 8 years, respectively. The clinical findings, such as reduced pulses and blood pressure of the respective arm, may suggest the provisional diagnosis. The principles of congenital subclavian steal are discussed.