Abstract:
Background: Sickle cell disease is characterized by
repeated crisis and need for frequent transfusions.
Abdominal crisis are common and potentially can
damage any abdominal organ. Screening for organ
involvement will lead to early detection and better
patient care. Aim and Objectives: To see whether
ultrasound can be a better noninvasive technique for
early detection of organ involvement. Material and
Methods: Prospective cross sectional observational
study done on patients admitted in pediatric ward of a
medical college. Total of 150 patients, already
diagnosed to have sickle cell anemia (homozygous 110
and heterozygous 40) was included in the study. All the
patients were in steady state. Demographic, clinical
biochemical details were noted and were subjected to
ultrasonography. Renal artery, Being end artery,
Doppler study was also done. All the modalities were
compared for early detection. Results: Majority of
patients (77%) were between 1 to 30 years with male
female ratio of 2:1. Recurrent fever (64%) and
recurrent abdominal pain (47%) were most common
symptoms and anemia (66%), hepatomegaly (62%),
splenomegaly (21%) were most common signs. When
clinical examination, biochemical tests and
ultrasonography were compared for organ detection,
ultrasound significantly detected more patients
(p=<0.05). Ultrasonography of kidney included renal
doppler also. Renal involvement by microalbuminuria
measurement was of same as
ultrasonography. Organ involvement increased with
age. Conclusion: Ultrasonography was good
noninvasive technique for organ detection but kidneys yield was better with Doppler study. Most common
organ found to be affected was liver. Involvement
increased with age. Early detection helps clinicians to
avoid drugs toxic to involved organs.
