Abstract 262

Introduction:

The most common cause of neurological injury in sickle cell anemia is silent cerebral infarcts (SCI). In the Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi-Center Clinical Trial (SIT Trial) cohort, we sought to identify risk factors associated with SCI.

Patients and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the clinical history, baseline laboratory values and performed magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. For those children with SCI-like lesions, a pediatric neurologist examined the child and neuroradiology and neurology committees adjudicated the presence of SCI. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 years with hemoglobin SS or S-beta° thalassemia and no history of overt strokes or seizure were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 542 children were evaluated; 173 (31.9%) had SCI. The mean age of the children was 9.3 years, with 280 males (51.7%). In a multivariate logistic analysis, two covariates were significant: a single systolic blood pressure (SBP) obtained during a baseline well-visit, p = 0.015 and hemoglobin F (Hgb F) level obtained after three years of age, p = 0.038. Higher values of SBP and lower values of Hgb F increased the odds of SCI; Figure. Baseline values of white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, oxygen saturation, reticulocytes, pain, or ACS event rates were not associated with SCI.

Figure.

Joint effect of fetal hemoglobin and systolic blood -pressure on odds of silent cerebral infarct in 542 children with hemoglobin SS or S-beta°-thalassemia between 5 and 15 years of age.

Figure.

Joint effect of fetal hemoglobin and systolic blood -pressure on odds of silent cerebral infarct in 542 children with hemoglobin SS or S-beta°-thalassemia between 5 and 15 years of age.

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Conclusion:

SBP and Hgb F level are two previously unidentified risk factors for SCI in children with sickle cell disease. Modulation of SBP and Hgb F levels might decrease the risk of SCI.

Disclosures:

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Author notes

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Asterisk with author names denotes non-ASH members.

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