Subclinical myocardial injury during vaso-occlusive crisis in pediatric sickle cell disease

Acute painful crisis is the most frequent complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) in children. Recurrent vaso-occlusion may be associated with cardiac injury. The study aimed to assess silent myocardial injuries for sickle cell children during acute painful crisis by measuring serum level of troponin I and galectin-3. The study included 87 participates; study group (n = 44) sickle cell children presented at Jeddah hospitals in Saudi Arabia by painful crisis or acute illness as fever or cough (2017-2018). The controls were healthy children (n = 43). Demographic and history data were collected from the cases. Troponin I and galectin-3 were measured. Galectin-3 values were higher among cases with significant difference when compared to controls (7.5 ± 3.1 versus 3.2 ± 1.6, < 0.001). Galectin-3 at a cutoff > 5.1 ng/ml, the sensitivity was 88.64 and specificity was 88.37. Galectin-3 levels were higher for the pain crisis subgroup in comparison to acute illness group with significant difference (r 0.551*, p < 0.001*⁾. Galectin-3 values were higher among troponin-positive cases with significant difference (p = 0.046) to troponin-negative cases.Conclusion: Positive results of troponin I and high levels of galectin-3 in sickle cell children during acute painful crisis were potent indicators for subclinical myocardial injury. What is Known: • The hallmark of sickle cell disease is recurrent episodes of vaso-occlusive crisis which had deleterious effects on many organs. • Cardiac changes in pediatric sickle cell disease whether structural or functional are mainly attributed to chronic anemia and or pulmonary hypertension. What is New: • The observed positive results of cardiac troponin I and high values of galectin-3 in sickle cell children during vaso-occlusive crisis are strong indicator of myocardial ischemia and ongoing cardiac fibrosis respectively. • The observed correlation between biological markers (positive troponin and high galectin-3) could be an indication of subclinical cardiac injury.