Burden and Risk of Neurological and Cognitive Impairment in Pediatric Sickle Cell Anemia in Uganda

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most frequent cause of stroke and other causes of early death in children. Severe anemia, infection, and inflammation can trigger infarcts from insufficient oxygen delivery and vascular injury. With a number of colleagues at Makerere University School of Medicine in Uganda, we work as an established team of multidisciplinary experts in pediatric SCA, neurological and neurocognitive assessment to identify risk factors and assess the impact of intervention on structural and functional impact of SCA on the pediatric brain. BRAIN SAFE is the umbrella research program for brain protection in children with SCA in Kampala Uganda. We are currently preparing to launch an NIH-funded clinical trial using an available drug to test its impact on brain protection in children followed at the primary SCA clinic there.

Students and residents have previously worked on a number of projects in pediatric SCA at the clinic at Makerere. Topics have included assessment of immunizations, school performance, stroke and mortality, as well as issues related to the public health intervention of newborn screening for SCA.

Faculty

Nancy Green

Locations

Kampala, Uganda

Areas of Focus

• Chronic Diseases
• Neurological Diseases