Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
The association between obstructive sleep apnea and stroke in sickle-cell disease children
Albraa Abulhamail1, Saif Selati2, Rakan Alasqah2
1King Abdulaziz University, 7239 Ahmad Zaynal, As Salamah District, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. caandor@icloud.com.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have a higher stroke risk. Early OSA screening and management in pediatric SCD patients may prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Stroke is a significant risk in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD).
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prevalence increases in children with SCD.
- This study investigates stroke prevalence in pediatric SCD patients with and without OSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of stroke in children with SCD.
- To assess the association between OSA and stroke in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Included 150 children aged 2-18 with confirmed SCD.
- Stroke assessed over 3 years; OSA evaluated using PSQ.
Main Results:
- Children with OSA showed higher odds of stroke (OR 2.97, P=0.02) in bivariate analysis.
- The association between OSA and stroke was not significant in multivariant analysis.
- OSA status did not affect hospitalization, emergency visits, or blood transfusion rates.
Conclusions:
- OSA is associated with a 16% higher stroke prevalence in pediatric SCD patients.
- Early OSA screening and management are crucial for preventing SCD complications.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of OSA in stroke risk in pediatric SCD.
Introduction:
The prevalence of stroke in SCD patients was reported to be around 4%; however, the pediatric category was among the higher risk group for stroke compared to young and middle age adults. Furthermore, the risk of OSA increases in SCD children. The objective of this study is to calculate the prevalence of stroke in children with SCD with and without obstructive sleep apnea.
Method:
This is a cross-sectional study held at two major tertiary hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Inclusion criteria included patients aged between 2 and 18 at the time of enrollment with confirmed SCD. The primary outcome of the study was at least one documented episode of stroke over the last 3 years. OSA was assessed using PSQ.
Results:
A total of 150 children with SCD were included in the study. The mean age was 9.6 (±4.3). Most of the sample (85.3%) were sickle-cell anemia with HbSS. Children who were positive for OSA were at higher odds of having a stroke [OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.13-7.75 (P = 0.02)]. The relationship between OSA and stroke was not significant in the multivariant analysis.
Conclusion:
Patients who had OSA had a higher prevalence of stroke compared to non-OSA patients by 16% with almost three times higher odds. The difference was statistically significant in bivariant but not multivariant analysis. The rate of hospitalization, emergency visit, and blood transfusion were not affected by OSA status. Screening for OSA in high-risk patients such as SCD children and early management could prevent the risk of SCD complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:27Regulation of Stroke Volume
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...