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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Non-invasive Optical Measurement of Cerebral Metabolism and Hemodynamics in Infants
Published on: March 14, 2013
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Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity in pediatric sickle cell disease using diffuse correlation spectroscopy
Kyle R Cowdrick1, Mariam Akbar1, Tisha Boodooram1
1Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 1760 Haygood Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Biomedical Optics Express
|November 29, 2023
Summary
Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is impaired in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) non-invasively measured CVR, revealing significant deficits in pediatric SCD patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Biology
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis.
- Impaired CVR is suspected in sickle cell disease (SCD), potentially increasing stroke risk.
- Non-invasive monitoring of CVR in pediatric SCD is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify CVR in children with SCD using diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS).
- To compare CVR between pediatric SCD patients and healthy controls.
- To assess the feasibility of DCS for routine CVR monitoring in pediatric SCD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) for non-invasive CVR measurement.
- Employed a simple breath-hold maneuver as a vasodilatory stimulus.
- Recruited a cohort of 12 children with SCD and 14 age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Median CVR was significantly lower in children with SCD (2.03 [1.31, 2.44] %/mmHg) compared to controls (3.49 [3.00, 4.11] %/mmHg).
- The difference in CVR between SCD patients and controls was statistically significant (p=0.028).
Conclusions:
- CVR is demonstrably impaired in children with sickle cell disease.
- DCS offers a feasible, non-invasive method for assessing CVR deficits in pediatric SCD.
- Routine DCS monitoring could aid in managing CVR impairments and associated risks in pediatric SCD.
