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Poor neurodevelopment signs may appear early in sickle cell anemia
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Poorer adaptive and behavioral functions may appear very early on for patients with sickle cell anemia, according to study data published online.
F. Daniel Armstrong, PhD, of the department of pediatrics at Miami Miller School of Medicine and Holtz Children’s Hospital at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, and colleagues looked at neurodevelopment measures in 193 infants aged 7 to 18 months with sickle cell anemia. The researchers used transcranial Doppler velocities and other factors to analyze the children’s neurodevelopment ages and scores.
F. Daniel Armstrong
“Parent-reported functional abilities and hemoglobin were negatively associated with higher transcranial Doppler velocities,” the researchers said.
Armstrong and colleagues said because these negative associations were noted even in this younger patient group, early identification and interventional strategies are needed.
Overall functioning was in the normal range, according to the findings, in contrast to behavioral and adaptive function, which was poorer with older age of infants in this cohort.
The researchers said interventions, including hydroxyurea, transfusion therapy and others, must be evaluated for use shortly after the diagnosis of sickle hemoglobinopathy at a very early age.
“Explanatory mechanisms for this association between poorer developmental function and older age need to be identified,” the study researchers concluded.
Disclosure: Armstrong reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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