Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Stroke prevention in the young child with sickle cell anaemia

Lara Roberts1, Sandra O'Driscoll, Moira C Dick

  • 1Department of Paediatric Haematology, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK.

Annals of Hematology
|May 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) stroke risk is high in young children. Earlier transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening from age 2 can identify high-risk children, preventing strokes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Hematology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Cerebrovascular disease and stroke are significant risks for children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).
  • Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound is effective in identifying children at high risk for stroke.
  • Current UK guidelines recommend annual TCD screening starting at age 3, despite evidence of earlier stroke incidence.

Observation:

  • A retrospective review analyzed stroke prevalence and TCD screening success in young children with SCA.
  • Five stroke events were identified in children under 3 years old.
  • TCD analysis proved equally successful in the 2-3 year age group compared to the 3-4 year group.

Findings:

  • Stroke incidence peaks between ages 2 and 5 years, suggesting current screening ages may be too late.
  • TCD screening is technically feasible and successful in children as young as 2 years old.
  • Early TCD screening in children under 3 with SCA can detect stroke risks effectively.

Implications:

  • Screening for stroke risk in children with SCA should commence earlier, at age 2 years.
  • Infants with high-risk features of SCA may benefit from even earlier TCD screening attempts.
  • Implementing earlier TCD screening can lead to timely interventions and stroke prevention in pediatric SCA patients.

More Related Videos

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Assessment of apical pulse01:17

Assessment of apical pulse

Assessing the Apical Pulse
Assessing the apical pulse is a critical nursing procedure, particularly indicated for: