Abstract
Hydroxyurea is increasingly used in patients with sickle cell disease and acts by several underlying mechanisms. Its usage has been reported to eliminate transfusion needs in children with beta-thalassemia major. It has also been used in sickle cell disease patients on stroke prophylaxis with exchange transfusions who develop transfusional iron overload and is now being considered as a possible alternative to chronic transfusions for secondary stroke prophylaxis. Our case demonstrates a pitfall when using hydroxyurea without monitoring intracranial cerebral vessels for vasculopathic changes; presence of which can predict stroke risk and alert the need for chronic blood transfusions as primary stroke prophylaxis. Transcranial Doppler is a crucial investigation that can reveal elevated cerebral arterial flow velocities.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 42-44 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2009 |
Keywords
- Doppler
- SCD
- Sickle
- TCD
- Transcranial
- Ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Hematology
- Oncology