Splenic changes in sickle cell anaemia

The spleen is one of the most frequently affected organ in Sickle cell anaemia (SCA). This has been attributed to its complex anatomy and prominent reticuloendothelial functions which include clearance of unwanted particulate matter in blood ( culling), defense against infection and reservoir for blood cells. This paper aims to highlight the current information on the changes that occur in the spleen of Sickle Cell Disease patients in this environment.

A review of relevant literature on the subject of splenic changes in Sickle Cell Disease sourced by manual library and medline search.

The essential splenic change in SCA is splenomegaly and subsequent shrinkage in size (autosplenectomy), which maybe due to several factors. These include: high levels of irreversible sickle cells, decreased HbF associated with increased intravascular sickling and chronic Malaria infection secondary to hyperplasia of the reticulo-endothelial system and increased antibody production especially IgG and IgM. Finally, the clinical complications of these splenic changes such as increased susceptibility to infection, acute splenic sequestration and hypersplenism are also reviewed in this paper.

In view of the above changes, it is important to ensure regular monitoring and follow-up in order to prevent complications, recurrent crisis and death.