Stroke in sickle beta thalassemia - a case report highlighting pitfalls in management in a low prevalence country

Abstract

Stroke in Sickle cell disease is a devastating complication. As Sickle cell disease is uncommon in Sri Lanka many clinicians may be unfamiliar with management of the disease and its complications. A 10-year-old boy presented with a transient ischaemic attack. He has had a silent large parietal infarct previously. He had been managed with transfusions and had undergone a splenectomy. However, he had not received hydroxyurea or undergone trans-cranial Doppler assessment.

Keywords

• sickle beta thalassemia
• ischaemic attack
• trans-cranial doppler assessment
• hydroxyurea