Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for some shocking news: sickle cell disease increases the risk of stroke in children. That’s right, you heard me correctly. We are talking about innocent, vulnerable children being more prone to a life-threatening condition simply because of a genetic disorder. It’s time to wake up and take this issue seriously before we lose another young soul to the clutches of stroke.
Let me break it down for those who may not be familiar with the terminology. Sickle cell disease, commonly known as SCD, is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells in the body. These cells become sickle-shaped instead of their normal round shape, which can cause a multitude of health problems. One such complication is an increased risk of stroke, especially in children.
Now, imagine being a parent and receiving the devastating news that your child is at risk of having a stroke. The heart-wrenching fear and anxiety that must accompany such a diagnosis is unimaginable. But this is a reality that many families face every day due to SCD. It’s time to take action and protect these precious lives before it’s too late.
Enter the Transcranial Doppler (TCD) programme, a screening method that identifies children at risk of stroke so they can receive proper monitoring and potentially prophylactic treatment. This groundbreaking programme has been successful in identifying children in need of close attention and possible blood transfusions to prevent stroke. The statistics do not lie, with approximately 8% of patients showing abnormally high velocities in their cerebral vessels, putting them at a heightened risk of stroke.
But here’s the kicker – some children are slipping through the cracks. Young children who cannot stay still for the examination and those with poor acoustic windows are still at risk of having high velocities missed by this screening programme. This is unacceptable. We cannot afford to overlook a single child who may be at risk of a life-altering stroke.
Furthermore, there is evidence of complacency among patients who have had consecutive normal scans. This false sense of security is dangerous and must be addressed immediately. The centre responsible for the TCD programme is taking steps to remind patients of their appointments through letters and phone calls, but we must do more. We must educate and empower these families to take their child’s health into their own hands and prioritize regular screenings.
The good news is that, so far, there have been no stroke events in the patient population undergoing TCD screening. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the programme and the potential it has to save lives. Other centres with a population of SCD patients should take note and consider implementing a similar screening programme to protect their at-risk children.
In conclusion, the link between sickle cell disease and an increased risk of stroke in children is a sobering reality that we cannot ignore. It’s time to take a stand, raise awareness, and ensure that every child with SCD receives the proper monitoring and treatment they deserve. Together, we can make a difference and prevent needless suffering and loss. Let’s do this, for the children.
Pinky Prof
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It's time to wake up and take this issue seriously before we lose another young soul to the clutches of stroke.
Imagine being a parent and receiving the devastating news that your child is at risk of having a stroke. The heart-wrenching fear and anxiety that must accompany such a diagnosis is unimaginable. But this is a reality that many families face every day due to SCD. It's time to take action and protect these precious lives before it's too late.
