ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features and prognosis of ischemic cerebral infarction in young population,and to provide a reference for clinical prevention of cerebral infarction in young population. MethodsA total of 547 patients with ischemic cerebral infarction diagnosed between January 2008 and June 2013 were included,and the difference in clinical data and outcomes between young and old patients were retrospectively compared. ResultsThe 547 patients included 233 young and 314 old patients,and there were more male patients in young group.As compared to the old group,the proportion of hypertension was significantly lower in young group (51.9%,64.3%;P=0.004);while smoking (51.9%,5.7%;P=0.000) and alcoholism (53.2%,28.3%;P=0.000) were significantly higher in young group.Moreover,there were more patients with vascular malformations in young group than that in old group (7.3%,3.2%;P=0.028).And there were also more patients in young group received thrombolytic therapy and antiplatelet therapy (98.3%,86.9;P=0.000),and the prognosis of young patients was significantly better than that of old patients. ConclusionThe prognosis of young patients with ischemic stroke prognosis is relatively good,and changing bad habits would be an effective measure to prevent and reduce the occurrence of ischemic cerebral infarction in young population.