Effect of chronic transfusion therapy on progression of neurovascular pathology in pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia.

Background: Chronic blood transfusion (CBT) is currently the standard of care for primary and secondary stroke prevention in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). However, the effect of CBT on cerebrovascular pathology is not well known.

Methods: We reviewed children with SCA receiving CBT for abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) [n=12] or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) [n=22].