Cerebral Vasoreactivity in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Transcranial Doppler Study.

Background: Impairment of vasodilatory capacity reflecting reduced cerebrovascular reserve was previously shown in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) and might play a role in the pathophysiology of stroke in such patients. We examined the hypothesis that children with SCD would also have a higher frequency of impaired cerebral vasoreactivity when compared with healthy age- and gender-matched controls.

Methods: Patients were recruited from our hematology outpatient clinic.

Changes in Transcranial Doppler Flow Velocities in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: The Impact of Hydroxyurea Therapy.

Background And Objectives: Hydroxyurea (HU) was recently described as a substitute for chronic transfusion for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities who have received at least 1 year of transfusions. However, the role of HU in reverting elevated TCD velocities in patients not treated with transfusion is still debatable. The objective of the study was to examine whether HU influences the progression of TCD velocities in children with SCD.

Patients with sickle cell disease are frequently excluded from the benefits of transcranial doppler screening for the risk of stroke despite extensive and compelling evidence.

Methods:: Transcranial doppler was performed in accordance with the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia Protocol.

Results:: Of the 396 patients, 69.5% had homozygous SS hemoglobin.