Responses to exercise in children with sickle cell trait

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Physiology
• Hematology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Sickle cell trait (AS) affects hemoglobin, potentially influencing physiological responses.
• Understanding exercise capacity in AS is crucial for pediatric health and sports participation.
• Limited data exists on exercise responses in children with AS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare exercise responses between children with sickle cell trait (AS) and healthy controls.
• To assess the safety of dynamic exercise testing in pediatric AS.
• To identify potential differences in cardiovascular and workload parameters during exercise.

Main Methods:

• Dynamic cycle ergometer stress testing was performed on 48 children with AS (aged 4-21 years).
• Data was compared to 184 healthy black children.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) responses were monitored.

Main Results:

• No definite ischemia was observed on exercise ECG in AS subjects; 8.3% had equivocal findings.
• Children with AS exhibited lower heart rate and workload Z scores compared to controls.
• Blood pressure response to exercise was normal in subjects with AS.

Conclusions:

• Exercise appears safe for children with sickle cell trait (AS) as no ischemia or complications were noted.
• Children with AS demonstrated reduced exercise heart rate and workload capacity.
• Further investigation is required to elucidate the mechanisms behind the altered pulse rate and workload in AS during exercise.