Study: Too few kids with sickle cell get stroke screen, care
A study of U.S. children with sickle cell disease found fewer than half get a needed screening for stroke, a common complication
By MIKE STOBBE
Published - Sep 20, 2022, 01:14 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 08:43 AM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Too few U.S. kids with sickle cell anemia get a needed screening for stroke, according to a study released Tuesday.
The study found fewer than half get the screening and only about half or fewer get a treatment that can help with pain and anemia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the study, and called for more screening and treatment.
One type of sickle cell disease, called sickle cell anemia, is a leading cause of stroke in children. The disease can shorten life expectancy by more than 20 years and lead to complications, said the CDC's Dr. Karen Remley.
“These complications are preventable — not inevitable,” she said in a statement.
