Sickle Cell Disease and Stroke
A stroke is an injury to the brain that happens when there is not enough blood circulation and oxygen to the brain. About 6-8% of all people with sickle cell anemia (Hemoglobin SS) may have a stroke. Symptoms of stroke include weakness of arms, legs, or face, seizures or convulsions, difficulty with speaking or seeing, a very bad headache, numbness or tingling. Once a stroke occurs, some people fully regain their original abilities, but some functions may not completely get back to normal for everyone. A stroke is diagnosed by a doctor’s physical exam and brain scans called CT or MRI.
The main treatment of stroke is red blood cell transfusions. When the stroke first occurs, most people receive an exchange transfusion to reduce the blockage of blood circulation by sickle cells. After that, monthly transfusions are recommended because there is a very high chance of the child having another stroke if they do not receive transfusions.
Rehabilitation and educational services may be needed to help a person who may still be weak, have trouble speaking, have more difficulty learning, or trouble with memory.
Counseling may be helpful for the person with stroke or his/her family members who may be feeling sadness, frustration, or anger about this major change in their lives.
After about two years of monthly blood transfusions, people will have too much iron in their bodies. Iron chelation (removal) therapy with Deferoxamine (Desferal) is needed to help keep the body healthy from too much iron.
A stroke is an injury to the brain that happens when there is not enough blood circulation and oxygen to the brain. About 6-8% of all people with sickle cell anemia (Hemoglobin SS) may have a stroke. Symptoms of stroke include weakness of arms, legs, or face, seizures or convulsions, difficulty with speaking or seeing, a very bad headache, numbness or tingling. Once a stroke occurs, some people fully regain their original abilities, but some functions may not completely get back to normal for everyone. A stroke is diagnosed by a doctor’s physical exam and brain scans called CT or MRI.
The main treatment of stroke is red blood cell transfusions. When the stroke first occurs, most people receive an exchange transfusion to reduce the blockage of blood circulation by sickle cells. After that, monthly transfusions are recommended because there is a very high chance of the child having another stroke if they do not receive transfusions.
Rehabilitation and educational services may be needed to help a person who may still be weak, have trouble speaking, have more difficulty learning, or trouble with memory.
Counseling may be helpful for the person with stroke or his/her family members who may be feeling sadness, frustration, or anger about this major change in their lives.
After about two years of monthly blood transfusions, people will have too much iron in their bodies. Iron chelation (removal) therapy with Deferoxamine (Desferal) is needed to help keep the body healthy from too much iron.
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Causes
Children
Clinical Trials
Complications
Coping skills
Diagnosis/Symptoms
Dictionaries/Glossaries
Directories
Genetics
Journal Articles
Key points
Latest news
Law and Policy
Organizations
Prevention/Screening
Related Issues
Research
Risk factors
Self-care
Sickle Cell Disease and Stroke
Statistics
Teenagers
Treatment