Hydroxyurea with dose escalation for primary stroke risk reduction in children with sickle cell anaemia in Tanzania (SPHERE): an open-label, phase 2 trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcranial Doppler screening with chronic transfusions reduces stroke risk in children with sickle cell anaemia but is not feasible in low-resource settings. Hydroxyurea is an alternative treatment to decrease stroke risk. We aimed to estimate stroke risk in children with sickle cell anaemia in Tanzania and to determine the efficacy of hydroxyurea to decrease and prevent stroke.

Methods

We did an open-label, phase 2 trial (SPHERE) at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania. Children aged 2-16 years with a diagnosis of sickle cell anaemia confirmed by haemoglobin electrophoresis were eligible for enrolment. Participants had transcranial Doppler ultrasound screening by a local examiner. Participants with elevated Doppler velocities, either conditional (170-199 cm

SUBMITTER: Ambrose EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10132280 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature