Poor Sensitivity of Physician Assessment to Predict Acute Chest Syndrome in Children with Sickle Cell Disease and Fever

Abstract Background: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) detected by chest radiography (CXR) with significant morbidity and mortality. Previous studies show that many children with ACS present without obvious signs or symptoms. We evaluate the sensitivity of clinical assessment for predicting ACS in children with SCD and fever. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional, observational study that took place from June 2014-March 2015. Consented providers in 2 CHOA EDs caring for patients aged 0-18 years with SCD and fever 38.0 C completed a questionnaire including vital signs, past history of ACS or asthma, clinical signs, symptoms, physical exam (PE) findings and whether the provider suspected pneumonia/ACS on CXR. CXRs were read by a blinded pediatric radiologist. CXR results were compared to questionnaire responses completed prior to CXR. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of clinical assessment for predicting ACS compared to CXR was determined. Signs, symptoms, PE findings, and clinical course was compared in cases with positive versus negative CXRs as well as suspected versus unsuspected ACS. Results: 111 SCD fever events with CXR were evaluated over 10 months. Thirteen patients (12%) had evidence of ACS on CXR. Based on MD questionnaires, only 46% of ACS cases were predicted by clinical assessment alone. Physician assessment sensitivity to identify ACS was low at only 50%. (Table 1). An abnormal lung exam, history of ACS, lack of rhinorrhea and a trend towards chest pain were more common in ACS cases compared to children with a negative CXR. However, 62% of children with ACS had a normal lung exam. Cases of unsuspected ACS had a lower degree of fever at presentation to the ED, but ultimately required more packed red blood cell transfusions during hospitalization than suspected ACS cases. There were no other significant differences in signs, symptoms, PE findings or clinical course in suspected vs. unsuspected ACS cases. The recently published NIH guidelines for including CXR in a fever work-up for children with SCD (risks include presence of cough, tachypnea, shortness of breath or abnormal lung exam) performed poorly in our cohort, with an Area under the Curve (AUC) = 0.725 Conclusions: Clinical impression alone is a poor predictor of ACS in children with SCD and fever. We and others have identified clinical criteria to help identify a high risk group, however many children with ACS lack signs and symptoms of ACS and may be missed based on clinical assessment alone. Given the high mortality and morbidity associated with ACS, empiric CXR may still be indicated in children with SCD. Due to radiation exposure risks with CXR, our team is studying lung ultrasound as an alternative modality for ACS imaging. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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A cautionary note regarding hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v83.4.1124.bloodjournal8341124 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 1124-1128

Author(s):

EP Vichinsky ◽

BH Lubin

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

Organ Damage ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Transfusion Therapy ◽

History Of ◽

Hbf Level

Hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. However, several issues of hydroxyurea therapy remain unresolved, including differences in patients' drug clearance, predictability of drug response, reversibility of sickle cell disease-related organ damage by hydroxyurea, and the efficacy of elevated HbF. We treated two patients with hydroxyurea for periods of 1 to 4 years, monitoring clinical course and laboratory parameters at regular intervals. The first patient (patient A) had a history of chronic pain and extensive hospitalizations. The second patient (patient B) had a history of stroke and refused to continue with chronic transfusion therapy and chelation. Both patients showed a fivefold to tenfold increase in HbF (5% to 25%, 3% to 31%). However, patient A developed an acute chest syndrome, despite an HbF level of 20%. After red blood cell transfusions for hypoxia, the HbF level decreased to 5%. When hydroxyurea dosage was increased, pancytopenia developed and was not resolved until 2 months after hydroxyurea was discontinued; Patient B developed a cerebral hemorrhage on hydroxyurea; he died shortly thereafter. His HbF level was 21% before death. We noted an increase in HbF and a general improvement in the two patients. However, both experienced major SCD-related complications despite HbF levels over 20%. Our findings also suggest that the progressive vascular changes associated with SCD are unlikely to be dramatically affected by increased HbF levels. Because neither the efficacy nor the toxicity of hydroxyurea have been thoroughly investigated, physicians should be cautious in prescribing hydroxyurea for patients with SCD before completion of the National Clinical Trial.

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A cautionary note regarding hydroxyurea in sickle cell disease

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v83.4.1124.1124 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 1124-1128 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

EP Vichinsky ◽

BH Lubin

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Fetal Hemoglobin ◽

Organ Damage ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Transfusion Therapy ◽

History Of ◽

Hbf Level

Abstract Hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. However, several issues of hydroxyurea therapy remain unresolved, including differences in patients' drug clearance, predictability of drug response, reversibility of sickle cell disease-related organ damage by hydroxyurea, and the efficacy of elevated HbF. We treated two patients with hydroxyurea for periods of 1 to 4 years, monitoring clinical course and laboratory parameters at regular intervals. The first patient (patient A) had a history of chronic pain and extensive hospitalizations. The second patient (patient B) had a history of stroke and refused to continue with chronic transfusion therapy and chelation. Both patients showed a fivefold to tenfold increase in HbF (5% to 25%, 3% to 31%). However, patient A developed an acute chest syndrome, despite an HbF level of 20%. After red blood cell transfusions for hypoxia, the HbF level decreased to 5%. When hydroxyurea dosage was increased, pancytopenia developed and was not resolved until 2 months after hydroxyurea was discontinued; Patient B developed a cerebral hemorrhage on hydroxyurea; he died shortly thereafter. His HbF level was 21% before death. We noted an increase in HbF and a general improvement in the two patients. However, both experienced major SCD-related complications despite HbF levels over 20%. Our findings also suggest that the progressive vascular changes associated with SCD are unlikely to be dramatically affected by increased HbF levels. Because neither the efficacy nor the toxicity of hydroxyurea have been thoroughly investigated, physicians should be cautious in prescribing hydroxyurea for patients with SCD before completion of the National Clinical Trial.

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To Give or Not to Give: RhD Immunoglobulin for an RHD*39 Pregnant Woman with Sickle Cell Disease

Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy ◽

10.1159/000512644 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Justin E. Juskewitch ◽

Craig D. Tauscher ◽

Sheila K. Moldenhauer ◽

Jennifer E. Schieber ◽

Eapen K. Jacob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Woman ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Pregnancy Termination ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Procedural Complications ◽

History Of ◽

Chronic Hemolysis

Introduction: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have repeated episodes of red blood cell (RBC) sickling and microvascular occlusion that manifest as pain crises, acute chest syndrome, and chronic hemolysis. These clinical sequelae usually increase during pregnancy. Given the racial distribution of SCD, patients with SCD are also more likely to have rarer RBC antigen genotypes than RBC donor populations. We present the management and clinical outcome of a 21-year-old pregnant woman with SCD and an RHD*39 (RhD[S103P], G-negative) variant. Case Presentation: Ms. S is B positive with a reported history of anti-D, anti-C, and anti-E alloantibodies (anti-G testing unknown). Genetic testing revealed both an RHD*39 and homozygous partial RHCE*ceVS.02 genotype. Absorption/elution testing confirmed the presence of anti-G, anti-C, and anti-E alloantibodies but could not definitively determine the presence/absence of an anti-D alloantibody. Ms. S desired to undergo elective pregnancy termination and the need for postprocedural RhD immunoglobulin (RhIG) was posed. Given that only the G antigen site is changed in an RHD*39 genotype and the potential risk of RhIG triggering a hyperhemolytic episode in an SCD patient, RhIG was not administered. There were no procedural complications. Follow-up testing at 10 weeks showed no increase in RBC alloantibody strength. Discussion/Conclusion: Ms. S represents a rare RHD*39 and partial RHCE*ceVS.02 genotype which did not further alloimmunize in the absence of RhIG administration. Her case also highlights the importance of routine anti-G alloantibody testing in women of childbearing age with apparent anti-D and anti-C alloantibodies.

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Clinical events in the first decade in a cohort of infants with sickle cell disease. Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease [see comments]

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v86.2.776.bloodjournal862776 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 86 (2) ◽

pp. 776-783 ◽

Cited By ~ 321

Author(s):

FM Gill ◽

LA Sleeper ◽

SJ Weiner ◽

AK Brown ◽

R Bellevue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Clinical Course ◽

The United States ◽

Beta Thalassemia ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cooperative Study ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Splenic Sequestration ◽

Clinical Events

Within the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease, 694 infants with confirmed sickle cell disease were enrolled at less than 6 months of age. Information about the nature and frequency of complications was collected prospectively over a 10-year period. Painful crises and acute chest syndrome were the most common sickle cell-related events in homozygous sickle cell anemia (SS), hemoglobin SC disease (SC), and S beta thalassemia patients (overall incidence in SS patients of 32.4 and 24.5 cases per 100 person-years, respectively). Bacteremia occurred most frequently in SS children under 4 years of age and in SC patients less than 2 years of age. The mortality rate was low in this cohort compared with that found in previous reports. Twenty children, all with Hb SS, died (1.1 deaths per 100 person-years among SS patients). Infection, most commonly with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, caused 11 deaths. Two children died of splenic sequestration, 1 of cerebrovascular accident, and 6 of unclear causes. Two patients underwent cholecystectomies, and 17 underwent splenectomies after one or more splenic sequestration crises. The experience of this cohort should reflect closely the true clinical course of those children with Hb SS and Hb SC disease who are observed in sickle cell centers in the United States.

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Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension (PHTN) in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Adolescents with Pulmonary Complications.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.3759.3759 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 3759-3759

Author(s):

Onyinye C. Onyekwere ◽

Andrew Campbell ◽

James Williams ◽

Peter Gaskin ◽

Sohail Rana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Pulmonary Artery ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Pulmonary Complications ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

University Of Michigan ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Hemoglobin F ◽

Howard University ◽

History Of

Abstract Despite the high prevalence of PHTN in adults with SCD, the prevalence in the pediatric population with SCD is not known. We hypothesized that elevated pulmonary artery pressures may be found in SCD adolescents with history of pulmonary complications, such as acute chest syndrome (ACS), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), asthma, and reactive airway disease. Thirty such sickle cell disease adolescents were screened at Howard University or University of Michigan for PHTN with Doppler echocardiography. We defined PHTN as a tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) of at least 2.5 m/sec (corresponding to a pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 35 mm Hg). PHTN was found in 16 SCD patients (53.3%) and 5 (16.7%) had TRV > 3.0 m/sec. Clinical findings according to the presences or absence of PHTN are shown in the table. Potential factors contributing to PHTN in patients with SCD include chronic hemolysis and chronic hypoxia. Our results suggest that PHTN is common among SCD adolescents with a history of pulmonary complications. Consideration should be given to screening such patients for PHTN and exploring treatment options. Further studies are urgently needed to clarify the prevalence and mechanisms of PHTN in adolescents with SCD. Clinical and demographic data of 30 SCD adolescents with pulmonary findings who underwent echocardiography at Howard University Hospital or University of Michigan PHTN (N = 16) No PHTN (N = 14) P Age in years (mean +/− SD) 15.9 +/− 3.2 17.4 +/− 2.3 0.17 Females (no. and %) 5 (31.3) 7 (50) 0.5 Hemoglobin SS Phenotype (no and %) 14 (87.5 11 (78.6) 0.5 Hemoglobin concentration (mean +/− SD) 8.0 +/− 2.1 9.3 +/−1.9 0.11 White blood cells (mean +/− SD) 10.9 +/− 2.9 9.7 +/− 3.7 0.4 Platelet (mean +/− SD) 475 +/− 172 364 +/− 240 0.17 Hemoglobin F percent (mean +/− SD) 5.1 +/− 3.5 6.4 +/− 5.5 0.6 Lactate dehydrogenase (mean +/− SD) 505 +/− 162 264 +/− 50 0.002 Total bilirubin (mean +/− SD) 4.1 +/− 2.6 3.4 +/− 2.6 0.5 Creatinine concentration (mean +/− SD) 0.6 +/− 0.2 0.7 +/− 0.2 0.18 Aspartate transaminase (mean +/− SD) 48 +/− 27 36 +/− 16 0.18 Alanine transaminase (mean +/− SD) 51 +/− 37 39 +/− 20 0.3

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Arterial Hypoxemia Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.3801.3801 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 3801-3801

Author(s):

Patricia Adams-Graves ◽

M. Muthiah ◽

G. Presbury ◽

G. Somes ◽

K. Lamar

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Normal Lung ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

X Ray ◽

Arterial Hypoxemia ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Chest X Ray

Abstract Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the most common cause of death during hospitalization of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). ACS includes symptoms referable to the chest and a new infiltrate on chest X-ray. Adults over age 20 years have more symptoms of the disease and are at increased risk of early death compared to children. ACS may be the presenting diagnosis for a patient with SCD, but equally as often, develops while the patient has a painful vascular occlusive crisis. Notably, 35% of SCD patients have a normal lung exam upon presentation to the hospital. Previous research studies indicate that nearly three-fourths of SCD patients who die present during painful crises in an extremity, and about 50% conclusively by autopsy died of massive fat embolism syndrome (FES). Unfortunately, definitive diagnostic tests with rapid turn-around for FES and other acute vascular occlusive lung events do not exist. Earlier identification of the danger that this event may be evolving can be life saving. Clinicians who adhere to the strict definition of ACS may prematurely dismiss the likelihood of a subsequent fatal event. This alarming rate of adverse events may represent a “pre-chest syndrome” prodromal phase of ACS. Arterial hypoxemia syndrome (AHS) or pre-chest syndrome is defined as any sign or symptom referable to the chest, an oxygen saturation (Sp02) of <94% by direct pulse oximeter or a Pa02 <80% by arterial blood gas on room air plus a clear chest X-ray with or without fever. AHS may be a warning sign of an ultimately fatal event if earlier interventions are not done in a timely manner. A secondary data analysis was performed utilizing 500 health records of SCD patients from 1960 to 2004. Prior to 2003, we averaged 2 to 3 ICU admissions per month for ACS with about 20% requiring mechanical ventilation. This study sought to gain insight on 45 years of experience in the treatment of SCD, particularly “pre-chest syndrome.” The primary aims of the study were to devise treatment protocols to reduce ICU admissions and the need for mechanical ventilation in SCD patients presenting with AHS. Retrospective analysis suggests that earlier blood exchanges for patients with SCD may substantially reduce ICU admissions and the need for mechanical ventilation in patients presenting with AHS, compared with patients receiving standard supportive care. Examination of computerized hospital records of 437 sickle cell hospital admissions from January 2003 to March 2005 revealed 3 ICU and 2 step-down unit admissions. During this time period, there were 101 chest syndrome occurrences, of which 2 died. Both patients required mechanical ventilation and underwent red cell apheresis to reduce hemoglobin S to <30%. One patient was admitted due to major trauma from a motor vehicle accident. Death was due to multi-organ failure. The medical condition of the second patient improved. This patient was discharged home in stable condition but died, unexpectedly, 48 hours at home of a massive pulmonary embolus. A protocol has been developed to prospectively evaluate our aims.

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Corrected QT Interval Is Related to Markers of Hemolysis and Tricuspid Regurgitant Jet Velocity in a Young Cohort with Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v110.11.2258.2258 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 110 (11) ◽

pp. 2258-2258

Author(s):

Robert I. Liem ◽

Luciana T. Young ◽

Alexis A. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Qt Interval ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Qtc Prolongation ◽

Corrected Qt Interval ◽

Conduction Abnormalities ◽

History Of ◽

Tricuspid Regurgitant Jet Velocity

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that prolongation in QT interval may be a frequent finding in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between conduction abnormalities and other cardiac complications, such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRJV) elevation, in this population. Moreover, long QT may be a marker of increased mortality in conditions, other than SCD, associated with LVH. We therefore sought to evaluate QT interval and its relationship to echocardiographic findings, laboratory parameters and disease severity in a cohort of children and young adults with SCD. Methods We prospectively evaluated the corrected QT interval (QTc) on standard 12-lead ECG in a cross-sectional, convenience sample of 73 subjects (41 males, mean age 14.2±3 years, range 10 to 24) with Hb SS, SC and S-β0 thalassemia undergoing screening for TRJV elevation. Subjects on chronic transfusions were excluded and all studies were performed at baseline on the same day. A review of available medical records was also performed. Results In our cohort, QTc (mean 436±24 ms, range 387 to 531) was prolonged > 440 ms in 30/73 (41%) of subjects at steady state. We also found TRJV elevation ≥ 2.5 m/s in 24/73 (33%) and LVH by ECG or echocardiographic criteria in 32/73 (44%) subjects. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, we observed significant correlations between QTc and TRJV (r=0.38, p=0.002), WBC (r=0.37, p=0.001) and several markers of hemolysis, including LDH (r=0.46, p=0001), Hb (r=-0.32, p=0.005), retic (r=0.29, p=0.013), plasma Hb (r=0.27, p=0.03) and AST (r=0.38, p=0.001). Using Student’s t-test for independent samples, only TRJV (2.55±0.33 vs. 2.34±0.26 m/s, p=0.006), LDH (450±166 vs. 329±143 U/L, p=0.001), WBC (10.6±4.7 vs. 8.6±3.3×109/L, p=0.048), retic (14.4±9.2 vs. 10.6±6.1%, p=0.039) and AST (50±22 vs. 38±15 U/L, p=0.009) were significantly higher and Hb (9.1±1.3 vs. 9.9±1.7 g/dL, p=0.04) lower in subjects with QTc > 440 ms compared to those with QTc ≤ 440 ms. We found no significant relationship between QTc and age, LV mass, platelet count or fetal Hb. By χ2 analysis, a larger proportion of subjects with QTc > 440 ms also had a history of acute chest syndrome (p=0.007), gallstones (p=0.047), exchange transfusion (p=0.04) and to a less significant degree, TRJV elevation (p=0.112). Prolonged QTc was not affected by sex, hydroxyurea use or a history of LVH, frequent pain, asthma, splenectomy, priapism and tonsilloadenoidectomy. Given sample size limitations and data reduction methods, we found by logistic regression analysis that the combination of TRJV and history of acute chest syndrome best predicted QTc prolongation, correctly identifying 80% of cases and resulting in positive and negative predictive values of 76% and 81%, respectively. Conclusions We conclude that QTc prolongation is common in a prospectively screened cohort of young sickle cell patients at baseline and is associated with evidence of hemolysis and to a lesser degree, TRJV elevation. Our results contrast with findings in other conditions that link QTc prolongation primarily to LVH. Future studies will be critical to further define QTc variability, pathophysiologic determinants as well as the clinical consequences of conduction abnormalities, which may or may not relate to TRJV elevation, in the sickle cell population.

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Five years of experience with hydroxyurea in children and young adults with sickle cell disease

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v97.11.3628 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 97 (11) ◽

pp. 3628-3632 ◽

Cited By ~ 132

Author(s):

Alina Ferster ◽

Parvine Tahriri ◽

Christiane Vermylen ◽

Geneviève Sturbois ◽

Francis Corazza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Ischemic Attack

The short-term beneficial effect of hydroxyurea (HU) in sickle cell disease (SCD) has been proven by randomized studies in children and adults. The Belgian registry of HU-treated SCD patients was created to evaluate its long-term efficacy and toxicity. The median follow-up of the 93 patients registered is 3.5 years; clinical and laboratory data have been obtained for 82 patients at 1 year, 61 at 2 years, 44 at 3 years, 33 at 4 years, and 22 after 5 years. On HU, the number of hospitalizations and days hospitalized dropped significantly. Analysis of the 22 patients with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up confirm a significant difference in the number of hospitalizations (P = .0002) and days in the hospital (P < .01), throughout the treatment when compared to prior to HU therapy. The probabilities of not experiencing any event or any vaso-occlusive crisis requiring hospitalization during the 5 years of treatment were, respectively, 47% and 55%. On HU, the rate per 100 patient-years of severe events was estimated to be 3.5% for acute chest syndrome, 1.2% for aplastic crisis, 0.4% for splenic sequestration; it was 0% for the 9 patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack followed for an average of 4 years. No important adverse effect occurred. Long-term chronic treatment with HU for patients with SCD appears feasible, effective, and devoid of any major toxicity; in patients with a history of stroke, HU may be a valid alternative to chronic transfusion support.

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Hematological Changes from Baseline in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Admitted for Acute Chest Syndrome Compared to Acute Pain Crisis

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-118977 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 4909-4909

Author(s):

Timothy Klouda ◽

Nataly Apollonsky ◽

Deepti Raybagkar ◽

Bruce Bernstein

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Acute Pain ◽

Neutrophil Count ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Cell Disease ◽

History Of ◽

Pain Crisis ◽

Hematological Changes

Abstract Title: Hematological Changes from Baseline in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Admitted for Acute Chest Syndrome Compared to Acute Pain Crisis Authors: Timothy Klouda1, Deepti. Raybagkar2, Bruce Bernstein1, Nataly Apollonsky2, Institutes:1Pediatrics, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 2Hematology, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Introduction: Children with Sickle Cell Disease suffer from multiple complications including acute pain crisis (VOC) and acute chest syndrome (ACS). Nearly 30% of children with SCD have had one episode of ACS, with the incidence higher in early childhood. The proposed pathophysiology of ACS is thought to be multi-factorial, with pulmonary fat embolism or infectious etiology being identified in a large number of patients. Increased sickling due to hypoxemia or pain has been shown to place patients at risk for ACS development., Studies have shown an increase in inflammatory markers including leukocytes and neutrophils, along with a decreased hemoglobin in SCD children who developed ACS, but no studies to date have compared laboratory changes during the acute illness to their baseline values. We hypothesized that children with SCD who are admitted for ACS will have a larger decrease in hemoglobin from baseline and a higher increase in white blood cell count from baseline when compared to those admitted for an acute pain crisis. Methods: Through retrospective chart review of patients with SCD admitted to St.Christopher's Hospital for Children we identified 45 patients with ACS. Laboratory data collected on admission from chart review included SCD genotype, age, BMI, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, absolute eosinophil count, platelets, reticulocyte count, hemoglobin F, vital signs and medication history. All 45 children had laboratory data collected from an acute pain crisis that occurred during a different admission for comparison. Collected data was compared to baseline laboratory data, collected during routine visit at sickle cell clinic within 1 year of admission. Changes in laboratory data from baseline during admission for ACS were compared to changes during admission for uncomplicated VOC. Results: Children with SCD who were admitted or developed ACS during admission had a larger increase in leukocyte count (6.99 vs 4.18, p=0.027) and neutrophil count (6.3 vs 3.74, p=0.04) from baseline compared to those admitted for VOC alone. Patients with ACS development also had a larger decrease in platelets (-124.74 vs -56.21, p=.047) from baseline when compared to VOC admissions. There was no statistically significant change from baseline labs when comparing hemoglobin (p=0.10), eosinophil count (p=.382), reticulocyte count (p=0.754), AST (p=0.061) and ALT (p=0.082) in the ACS and VOC groups. Children with a history of 2 or more lifetime ACS were more likely to have OSA (p=0.021), 3 or more VOCs in the past year (p=0.002), and a history of splenectomy, but it was not found to be statistically significant (p=0.155) Conclusion: Children with SCD who developed or were admitted with ACS had a significant increase in leukocyte and neutrophil count from baseline, and a decrease in platelets when compared to VOC admissions. There was no significant change from baseline in hemoglobin, reticulocyte and eosinophils detected. Future larger and multi-center prospective studies need to be performed to confirm the various changes identified in hematological markers seen in ACS vs VOC. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Comparison of Clinical Evolution of Children with Sickle Cell Disease before and after Treatment with Hydroxyurea at Saint Damien Hospital, Tabarre-Haiti,2013-2018

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2019-124105 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 2306-2306

Author(s):

Nora St Victor Dély ◽

Ofelia A. Alvarez ◽

Vanessa J Dor ◽

Emmeline Lerebours

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell Disease ◽

Sickle Cell ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Acute Chest Syndrome ◽

Blood Transfusions ◽

Cell Disease ◽

Clinical Evolution ◽

Before And After ◽

The Mean ◽

Painful Crisis

INTRODUCTION Sickle cell disease (SCD), an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate, especially in low income countries. In Africa, 5% of deaths among children under five are attributable to SCD [59th World Health Assembly, WHO 2006]. This chronic disease greatly alters the quality of life of affected children. However, according to several published studies, SCD clinical course can be improved with the administration of hydroxyurea, an antimetabolite drug. [Nkashama, Pan African Medical Journal,2015] Saint-Damien, a pediatric hospital in Haiti, has a current cohort of 1248 sickle cell children. Forty of them (3 %) benefit from hydroxyurea administration since November 2015. In this hospital, data on how hydroxyurea modifies SCD clinical course are lacking, despite the advantage of this drug described in literature [Charache,New England Journal of Medicine,1995]. This study aims to compare the evolution of children treated at Saint Damien Hospital, before and after receiving hydroxyurea. METHODS A retrospective analytic study was conducted from November 2013 to June 2018 in the Sickle Cell Clinic at Saint-Damien Hospital. We included 40 children aged 2 to 15 years old treated with hydroxyurea. All of them benefit of the same treatment protocol: Initial dose of 10 mg per kg per day increase to maintenance dose of 25 mg per kg per day. Any child whose treatment has been permanently discontinued regardless of the cause was excluded. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using Excel 2010. We compared children clinical evolution two years before and two years after hydroxyurea administration using these parameters: frequency and duration of hospitalizations, hospitalization frequency for specific complications (pain crisis, stroke and acute chest syndrome), and frequency of blood transfusions. We calculated frequencies, ratios and means using Epi Info. We realized statistical analysis to compare quantitative variables with a p value significant when less than 5%. RESULTS Gender ratio was 1:1. The mean age of children at enrollment on hydroxyurea was 8 years. Thirty-eight children of 40 (95 %) experienced at least one hospitalization before receiving the drug, compared with 17 (42.5%) after, p=0.025. The mean duration of hospitalization was 9 days before and 6 days after, p=0.0319. The average number of hospitalizations per child was decreased by 30 %. Seventy percent of children were hospitalized at least once due to painful crisis 2 years before receiving hydroxyurea, compare to 22.5 % after. Thirty-one children (77.5%) were transfused at least once before receiving the drug and 9 (22.5%) after receiving it. There was no cases of acute chest syndrome or stroke reported after hydroxyurea, unlike before the introduction of the drug. (Table 1) CONCLUSION The percentage of hospitalized children and the average length of hospitalization stay decreased significantly with hydroxyurea intake; as well as the frequency of painful crisis and blood transfusions. Hydroxyurea acts directly on the two main causes of hospitalization in the sickle cell, reducing the morbidity related to this pathology; and demonstrating the direct benefit of this drug at Saint Damien Hospital. Since our cohort is young, we have not been able to follow his evolution over a longer period of time. We plan to continue to observe this cohort. But these first results already allow us to recommend a broader use of hydroxyurea for pediatric patients with SCD in Haiti. Disclosures Alvarez: Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.

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