Hydroxyurea and Cardiac Sequelae in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.477Keywords:
HYDROXYUREA, HEART, CHILDREN, ANEMIA, SICKLE CELLAbstract
Cardiac complications in sickle cell disease patients are widely expected. They may be related to iron deposition, anaemia or vasculitis.Hydroxyurea is a known drug that decreases haemoglobin (Hb) S levels. The objective of the study was to assess the effect ofhydroxyurea on cardiac sequelae in children with sickle cell disease. Sixty-five sickle cell disease children were enrolled in the study; 37of them were on regular follow up and hydroxurea treatment, whereas 28 were not. All patients underwent echocardiography andN-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assay. Plasma levels of NTproBNP were significantly lower in sickle cell patientswho were on hydroxyurea treatment than in those without this therapy (p=0.03). NTproBNP levels showed significant correlationswith Hb (r=-0.72, p<0.05) and HbS levels (r=0.54, p<0.05). Significant positive correlations were detected between NTproBNP andechocardiography findings (r=0.64, p<0.01) including left ventricular mass index (r=0.78, p<0.01). In conclusion, hydroxyurea mayreduce cardiac complications in children with sickle cell disease.Key words: HYDROXYUREA; HEART; CHILDREN; ANEMIA, SICKLE CELL
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