Ocular findings in children with severe clinical symptoms of homozygous sickle cell anaemia in Kaduna; Nigeria
West Afr. j. med
;
25(2): 88-91, 2006.
Article
in French
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1273420
ABSTRACT
Background:
Sight-threatening retinopathy in Sickle Cell Disease is thought to be due mainly to vasoocclusion. Yet it is reportedly rarely found in children with Haemoglobin SS; (who most often suffer from vasoocclusion). However; earlier reports included patients with a wide range of clinical severity.Aim:
To document ocular pathology in children with Haemoglobin SS with severe clinical disease.Methods:
Thirty-seven children with severe clinical disease (at least 3 vaso-occlusive episodes in one year) had detailed ocular examinations over a one-year period.Results:
No child (aged 3 to 13 years) had ocular symptoms. Visual acuity was abnormal in one child. Retinal pathology was found only in patients over 8 years. Neovascularization was observed in 3 eyes of 2 patients both of whom had higher than average irreversibly sickled cell counts and haemoglobin levels. Retinal and choroidal infarcts were found in 11 and 2 eyes respectively; sunburst lesions and salmon patch haemorrhages in 5 eyes each. Changes observed over the one-year period in the 32 survivors; were photocoagulation scars in one eye of a child who had undergone laser therapy and resolution of the salmon patch haemorrhages.Conclusion:
Despite lack of visual symptoms; young children with haemoglobin SS with severe clinical symptoms can develop sight-threatening retinopathy. The possible role of autoinfarction in the causation of these lesions is discussed. Our study shows that routine yearly ophthalmological examinations are essential for children over 8 years
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Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
Eye Diseases
/
Anemia
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Language:
French
Journal:
West Afr. j. med
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
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