Central nervous system complications of sickle cell disease in children: an overview.

Abstract

Complications involving the central nervous system are among the most devastating manifestations of sickle cell disease. Although overt stroke occurs in 1 in 10 children with Hemoglobin SS, "silent cerebral infarcts" are even more frequent. Both are associated with significant neuropsychological deficits. The end result of these effects on the CNS often is diminished school performance. The use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography screening allows the identification of patients at high risk for clinical stroke as well as stroke prevention by chronic transfusion. However, definitive prophylaxis and treatment for most CNS complications of sickle cell disease have yet to be determined.

• Authors: Winfred C Wang
• Journal: Child neuropsychology : a journal on normal and abnormal development in childhood and adolescence (Child Neuropsychol) Vol. 13 Issue 2 Pg. 103-19 (Mar 2007) ISSN: 0929-7049 [Print] England
• PMID: 17364568 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Anemia, Sickle Cell (complications, diagnosis)
• Brain Diseases (diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
• Cerebral Infarction (diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
• Child
• Humans
• Learning Disabilities (diagnosis, etiology, prevention & control)
• Mass Screening
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial