Children with Sickle Cell Anemia may Suffer from Silent Strokes

The factors which increase the risk of silent strokes in children with sickle cell anaemia are male gender, high systolic blood pressure and low hemoglobin. In a first of its kind study, researchers have found that children with sickle cell anemia may suffer silent strokes. The report has been published in the latest issue of the journal ‘Blood”, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology.

Statistics reveal that more than 25% children with sickle cell anemia suffer from a silent stroke by the time they are six years old and another 40% suffer from a stroke by the time they are fourteen years of age. Reduced level of hemoglobin increases the risk of stroke because, to compensate for the less amount of oxygen carried by the blood low in hemoglobin, the body reflexly increases the blood flow to the brain. This may cause a rupture in the brain blood vessels resulting in stroke.

The researchers examined the medical history and pathological reports of 814 children, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, suffering from sickle cell anemia. These children were also subjected to brain MRIs in order to assess any evidence of silent strokes. It was seen that almost one third of the children had suffered from silent strokes. The researchers noticed that these children who had suffered from stroke had three things in common- they all were male, had low hemoglobin levels, and a high systolic blood pressure.

The identification of these risk factors will go a long way in preventing strokes in patients of sickle cell anemia. This is essential as children who had suffered from one episode of stroke are at an increased risk of developing multiple episodes. Moreover, stroke can lead to a deficient cognitive function. The possible cognitive decline due to strokes may affect their educational pursuits and many patients ultimately require special education.

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