New Delhi: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood condition characterised by the production of abnormally shaped red blood cells. These cells, which are crescent or ‘sickle’ shaped, can cause a wide range of health complications due to their tendency to stick together and block blood flow.
As per reports, children with sickle cell disease are also at risk for brain damage due to their irregularly shaped sickle cells that can interrupt the blood flow to the brain. Moreover, a complete clogging of the blood flow to the brain can lead to an ‘obvious’ stroke and this takes place in about 10 per cent of the children who have sickle cell disease.
How does sickle cell disease impact brain health?
Dr Praveen Gupta, principal director and Chief of Neurology, at Fortis Hospital, shared with News9, “In sickle cell disease, the blood can get too thick and clot, causing various brain problems like silent strokes, regular strokes (both where blood flow is blocked and where there is bleeding), and other issues. This happens because the thick blood can block the blood vessels in the brain.”
“Silent cerebral infarcts occur in about 40 per cent of children by 18 years. Headaches occur in about 36 per cent of children with sickle cell anaemia. Ischemic stroke occurs in about 10 per cent of children, and hemorrhagic stroke occurs in children at a rate of about 3-10 per cent,” said Dr Gupta. In countries where stroke prevention and sickle cell anaemia management are adopted, regular blood transfusions, typically monthly, help reduce the risk of stroke from 11 per cent to 1 per cent.
Treatment for brain disorders due to sickle cell disease
Hydroxyurea is an important medication that can prevent strokes in patients with sickle cell disease. Stem cell or bone marrow transplantation can also cure sickle cell disease and prevent neurological complications.
Sickle cell disease may affect the brain in various ways, including cognitive dysfunctions like working memory, verbal learning, visual motor function, inadequacy in general intellectual functioning, problems with language and attention, as well as headaches, seizures, and focal neurological problems like difficulty using hands, difficulty in speech, and difficulty in both.
As per reports, children with sickle cell disease are also at risk for brain damage due to their irregularly shaped sickle cells that can interrupt the blood flow to the brain. On World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, neurologist shares how the disease impacts the brain Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
